HC Deb 18 February 1948 vol 447 cc1133-5
14. Mrs. Ayrton Gould

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that people living in the vicinity of the Hendon Aerodrome are much disturbed by the continual low flying of aeroplanes; and will he arrange that no aeroplane in this built up area shall fly lower than is absolutely essential for taking off and landing at the aerodrome.

16. Mr. Skinnard

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that low flying by R.A.F. aeroplanes during an exercise in the early hours of 12th February caused considerable alarm to residents of the N.W. area of Greater London; that the recent fatal accident at Burnt Oak Broadway has accentuated local anxiety; and whether he will take steps to check the practice of low flying over the densely built-up area around Hendon Aerodrome.

Mr. de Freitas

I am afraid that there must, inevitably, be a good deal of flying over North-West London, especially at weekends, when the two auxiliary squadrons at Hendon put in their training. There are the strictest instructions against unnecessary low flying, and I have no reason to believe that these instructions are not being followed. However, I will always investigate allegations of unnecessary low flying if I am given details of time and place, and if possible, the aircraft number. During the night of 11th–12th February there were, it so happens, no R.A.F. aircraft in the air over London.

Mrs. Ayrton Gould

Could my hon. Friend institute some form of check-up without actual times, places, or the exact craft, as when flying goes on the whole time it is impossible for people to know the exact moment that a particular aircraft is flying low; and would it not be possible to have a general check-up?

Mr. de Freitas

Certainly, I will have one. I should like to make two points clear. First unnecessary low flying is a most serious offence, the usual punishment for an officer being dismissal from the Service. Secondly, many allegations of low flying, not made by the hon. Lady, are made by people who forget that an aircraft can neither land nor gain operational height without at the same time flying low.

Mr. Skinnard

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the difficulty appears to be caused by aircraft flying in to land in the midst of a "saucer," the rim of which is a very congested residential area?

Mr. de Freitas

I realise that. Of course, the direction of approach depends on the wind, and so on. I will certainly give the undertaking that we will look for unnecessary low flying, and punish it very severely should it be found.