§ 67. Mr. SANDYSasked the Secretary of State for the home Department, in view of the fact that the police regulations prohibit aeroplane flights over towns except at such altitude as will enable the aircraft to land outside in the event of mechanical breakdown, what minimum altitude is prescribed by the police for flights over the centre of London and what measures are adopted to ensure that the police regulations are observed?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)This matter is controlled not by police regulations but by 1245 an Order in Council made under the Air Navigation Act, 1920. That Order does not prescribe any minimum altitude except in the case of prohibited areas. The police are instructed if they observe any contravention of the provisions of the Order relating to dangerous flying to consider the question of instituting proceedings after consultation with the Air Ministry where necessary.
§ Mr. SANDYSCan my hon. Friend say whether, in practice, the police are given any particular altitude below which it is regarded as dangerous to fly over the centre of London?
§ Mr. LLOYDNo, Sir. In certain circumstances they consult the Air Ministry. For example, recently, aeroplanes have been observed flying very low over the Crystal Palace and as a result, the Air Ministry sent two Royal Air Force aeroplanes there to-day, to see whether they could not obtain expert evidence on this point with a view to proceedings.
§ Mr. CROSSLEYIs my lion. Friend aware of the growing practice of aeroplanes flying low over London for advertising purposes; and does he not think it would he most desirable to stop that practice?