§ 43. Mr. Teelingasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many aircraft under his control were prevented from leaving Great Britain on Saturday, 2nd November, due to fog; how many were diverted and unable to land on stations using Fido; and whether he will reconsider his decision not to install Fido at Heathrow and other large civil airfields.
§ 69. Mr. Thomas Reidasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he has finally decided to abandon the use of fog investigation dispersal operation at London airports.
§ Mr. LindgrenOn 2nd November there were 14 cancellations owing to fog of aircraft outbound from Great Britain. Eleven inbound aircraft were diverted to various alternative airports where better weather conditions prevailed, and one returned to its place of origin. No aircraft were diverted to airports where Fido was in use. My noble Friend is giving urgent consideration to the question whether Fido, which is already available at certain diversionary airports, should be installed at other airports in the London area.
§ Mr. TeelingDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that since this there have been many worse days of fog, and a terrible accident in Holland, which might easily have been here; and that Heathrow has already had a large amount spent on preparing Fido which has all been scrapped; and cannot his Department quickly make up their minds, because this is beginning to terrify large numbers of travellers?
§ Mr. LindgrenVery serious consideration is being given to the matter.
§ Sir T. MooreIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that it is not really necessary to go to this enormous expense on establishing Fido when Prestwick is always available, fog-free?
§ Mr. ScollanIs my hon. Friend aware that a fortnight ago on the trip from London to Prestwick, while Renfrew aerodrome was out of commission, there was a delay of over half an hour due to fog at Prestwick; and is he not aware that on the day this unfortunate accident took place in Holland there was no fog at all?