§ 68. Mr. Roland Robinsonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that on Tuesday, 9th March, the Imperial Airways' 9.30 a.m. Croydon to Paris service and the 12.40 p.m. service to Brussels and Cologne and similar services on British Airways were unable to leave the ground owing to the absence of de-icers, while foreign aeroplanes covering the same services and fitted with de-icers proceeded without interruption; and whether immediate action will be taken to ensure that British aeroplanes 2058 are fitted with de-icers in order to maintain regular services in the winter months?
§ Sir P. SassoonI understand that certain British and foreign services were cancelled on the day in question because of ice-forming conditions and that other foreign services were maintained, but in view of the present stage of development of de-icing devices it would be premature to make it compulsory that they should be fitted.
§ Mr. RobinsonHow soon will it be before British aeroplanes are made equal to Continental ones in this respect?
§ Sir P. SassoonBritish Airways and Imperial Airways are investigating very actively these problems, with a view to overcoming the difficulties.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs it not time that investigation was replaced by action?
§ Mr. George GriffithsWe have been telling you that for five years.