§ 43. Mr. Chorltonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, in view of the risks to aircraft from ice, whether he can state to what extent de-icing arrangements have been fitted to the leading edges and control edges of civil aircraft in this country; and whether this practice is a standard one for all machines in the United States?
§ Sir P. SassoonAt the present time, eight aircraft on the British register are fitted with de-icing devices on leading edges, six being fitted with the Goodrich device and two with the Dunlop. I should, however, draw attention to the reply which I gave last Wednesday to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Perkins) in which I explained that deicing problems are at present receiving close attention. The fitting of de-icers on all passenger carrying aircraft is not compulsory in the United States, but I am informed that no aircraft is allowed to fly under known icing weather conditions without equipment approved by the Bureau of Air Commerce.
§ Mr. ChorltonIn effect, does that not mean that all civil aircraft are fitted with this device? From my own personal experience all that I have seen are so fitted.
§ Sir P. SassoonUnfortunately that has not prevented several very serious accidents taking place in the United States under conditions which are attributable to icing.
§ Mr. PerkinsSurely any safety device is better than no safety device?