HC Deb 24 February 1936 vol 309 cc40-1
71. Mr. PERKINS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Royal Air Force machine that landed in the sea near Havre was equipped with wireless; whether this; machine was in communication with any wireless station; and, if so, why this machine was not directed by wireless to some English aerodrome free from fog?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)

The aircraft was in communication throughout by wireless with Andover wireless station. Bearings were given to the pilot and he was instructed to land at Northolt, as his own aerodrome was obscured by low clouds.

Sir W. BRASS

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the Air Ministry ought to have made quite certain that the weather conditions were suitable before allowing these exercises on that night?

Sir P. SASSOON

One of the reasons for these exercises was to train pilots in flying under cloud conditions.

Sir W. BRASS

But were not these fog conditions?

Sir P. SASSOON

When the weather began to deteriorate the aeroplanes were recalled to their bases, and where the bases were obscured by the fog they were told which other aerodromes to make for.