HC Deb 17 November 1937 vol 329 cc382-3
34. Mr. Pilkington

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the net work of wireless control for civil air-lines in this country will be completed?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

With the exception of two areas, in the extreme South-West of England and in the North-East of Scotland respectively, the whole country is already provided on an areas basis with a network of radio stations capable of giving radio navigational assistance to aircraft. A station is about to be opened at Inverness, and negotiations for one in the South-West of England are about to be started. Meanwhile, aircraft operating in these two localities are provided with radio navigational aid from stations in adjoining areas. Active steps are being taken to improve the efficiency of this network, and additional short-range radio facilities will be provided as and when the needs of the traffic require them. As regards air traffic control organisation, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 3rd November to the hon. Member for Blackpool (Mr. R. Robinson).

Mr. Pilkington

Is the Liverpool airport included in the existing network?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

Liverpool is catered for. Every airport has navigational aid, either in itself or from adjoining stations.