§ 21. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the introduction of legislation making it compulsory for all aeroplanes taking off from Great Britain with the object of flying any distance exeeding 1,000 miles to be equipped with wireless and to carry satisfactory life-saving apparatus?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)Whilst in the case of aircraft carrying passengers for hire a reasonable degree of control by Regulation or otherwise is clearly required, as with all forms of public transport, the policy hitherto pursued as regards aircraft not carrying passengers for hire has been to leave the activities of pilots unrestricted except in so far as may be necessary in the interests of persons and property in the vicinity flown over. As at present advised, I consider that it would be undesirable in principle to take further powers with a view to exercising a more far-reaching and elaborate control over such aircraft. Further, any Regulations issued would present peculiar difficulties in enforcement and would, in consequence, hardly be likely to achieve their object. In these circumstances, I am not prepared to make the change suggested. I may add that neither Colonel Lindbergh nor Mr. Chamberlin in their flights last year from America to Europe carried wireless, and that Mr. Hinkler's recent strikingly successful flight to Australia would definitely have been impracticable had he been required by Regulation to carry wireless apparatus.
§ Sir HARRY BRITTAINWould it not be practically impossible for an aeroplane to carry life-saving apparatus that would be satisfactory?
§ Sir S. HOAREThat is the general conclusion of my answer, under present conditions.