HC Deb 02 March 1949 vol 462 cc335-6
11. Sir Basil Neven-Spence

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the possibility of introducing a helicopter service this summer for the delivery of mails from Kirkwall to the islands in Orkney.

Mr. Wilfred Palings

A service as suggested has already been considered, but since helicopter mail services are still in the experimental stage I regret that the hon. Member's suggestion cannot be adopted.

Sir B. Neven-Spence

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that a helicopter service was run by the Navy and was a complete success throughout the war, and would it not be better to carry out the experimental work in areas where the greatest good is likely to flow to the largest number of people?

Mr. Paling

We think we are doing that but, of course, we have to make the helicopter reasonably safe, and we must have great regularity before we can adopt it for helicopter mails.

Mr. Henry Usborne

How soon is it expected to have a helicopter service in operation?

Mr. Palings

I cannot say.

Mr. Grimston

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate if the experiments so far carried out are a success, or are there many troubles developing?

Mr. Paling

In the main, I think they are a success.

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