§ 32. Flying-Officer Bowdenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, what arrangements are made on civil aerodromes under the control of his Department to deal with aircraft crashes and aircraft fires; and what arrangements are being made to train personnel in aircraft fire fighting and crash tender work, particularly on British aerodromes overseas.
Mr. Ivor ThomasCrash and fire lighting equipment manned by trained persons are provided on all the more important civil aerodromes under the control of the 1145 Ministry of Civil Aviation. Similar provision will be made at the smaller aerodromes as soon as the necessary staff can be recruited, trained and equipped. Existing crash crews have been trained in aircraft fire fighting and crash tender work and new entrants are trained in these duties before they are employed on airfields. No British aerodromes overseas are controlled by my Noble Friend.
§ Flying-Officer BowdenWould my hon. Friend say whether or not trained aircraft crash tender crews stand by whenever aircraft take off or land, or are.they distributed over the aerodrome awaiting for calls?
Mr. ThomasIt is the regular practice for the crews to be ready whenever an aircraft takes off or lands.
§ Mr. StokesIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in a recent crash in which I took part, the first persons to arrive at the wreck were the Customs officials?