HC Deb 02 March 1949 vol 462 cc342-3
23. Mr. Keeling

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is aware that the 12 passengers, including two foreign diplomats, who landed at Bovingdon on 6th February at 11.30 owing to fog at London Airport, had to wait 3¼ hours for a passport officer and transport, during which time they were not allowed to visit the village nor given lunch, and were guarded by a policeman except while he went for his own lunch, when they were left alone; and whether better arrangements will be made in future.

Mr. Lindgren

Yes, Sir; I regret the exceptional inconveniences suffered by the passengers on this occasion which were due to a variety of causes. I have taken steps to ensure that there shall be no repetition.

Mr. Keeling

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that one of the diplomats, who was extremely hungry and annoyed, rang up the Ministry of Civil Aviation—it was a Sunday morning—but was told there was nobody on duty who could grapple with the matters; and should not there be a duty officer, as in other Departments, with full authority to deal with, such a situation?

Mr. Lindgren

There is a duty officer.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not very serious that these people were left alone while the policeman went for lunch? They might have escaped.