56. Mr. Aclandasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has been able to identify the aeroplanes that flew low over Central London at about 10.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 13th July, and at about 1.30 a.m. on Thursday, 15th July; whether consideration has been given to the possible position that the regulations as to safety are ineffective to prevent low flying over London by reason of the fact that a low-flying pilot would argue that, in case of difficulty, he would land on the Thames; and whether, in view of the fact that the publicity given to this matter has not prevented the practice of night-flying over London, he will reconsider his decision as to the making and enforcing of new regulations?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadAs regard the first part of the question, the aeroplane that was over London in the evening of 13th July was a Royal Air Force machine on a duly authorised flight, and the one which was over London on the 15th is believed to have been a civil machine which had been participating in defence exercises in the East Kent area. As regards the second part, my Noble Friend has under consideration the issue of new regulations prescribing, in the interests of 2204 safety, minimum heights for flights over Central London. As regards the third part, in view of the fact that a notice to airmen requesting pilots to refrain as far as possible from flying over towns late at night or early in the morning was only issued on 15th July, I do not think that any reconsideration of this decision is called for at the moment.
§ Mr. CrossleyWill the new regulations contain a prohibition of advertisement flying?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe new regulations will deal with safety considerations.