§ 37. Captain HAROLD BALFOURasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if, in view of the increasing danger to occupants of aircraft from the high-power overhead cable system now being erected throughout the country, he will consider the setting up of a committee with representatives of the Air Ministry, Electricity Commission, and Guild of Air Pilots to inquire into the best methods of minimising this danger?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEAdministrative arrangements already exist whereby all proposals for the erection of high-power overhead cables are referred by the Electricity Commission to the Air Ministry for consideration from the point of view of their effect upon the safety of aircraft. These arrangements work satisfactorily and my Noble Friend does not think that any further advantage would be secured by the appointment of a committee such as the hon. and gallant. Member suggests.
§ Captain BALFOURMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether his reply refers 484 to the placing of cables around aerodromes? If so, will he answer my question, which deals with cables across country and not just round aerodromes?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe answer refers to all such considerations, because obviously the more of these cables there are the fewer emergency landing places there will probably be. The same remark applies to buildings.
§ Captain BALFOURIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in the last few months there have nearly been several fatal accidents owing to this danger, and that there are possible schemes for putting lights on the top of the grids and so making the whole line of grids visible, although the cable will not be visible?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThose points are worthy of consideration, but I think my answer covers the point raised.
§ Mr. MANDERIs there not great need for better co-ordination between the Departments corncerned, and will not the Minister consider the matter further?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI am quite prepared to ask my Noble Friend to consider the matter further, but so far I am not aware of any difficulty in regard to co-operation.