HC Deb 18 May 1949 vol 465 cc417-9
36. Mr. Turton

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is aware that the regulations under the Air Navigation Order, 1949, prescribing registration of gliders and certificates of airworthiness for gliders will impose serious and unnecessary burdens on gliding clubs; and whether he will exclude from the operation of this order gliders flying not more than five miles from a recognised gliding ground.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. Lindgren)

The answer to both parts of the Question is, "No, Sir."

Mr. Turton

Does that answer mean that there has been an alteration in the regulations under which gliding clubs are to be allowed to operate as previously?

Mr. Lindgren

It means to say that the regulations under which they operate are satisfactory to the gliding clubs.

Mr. Turton

Is the Minister aware that the gliding club movement has written a letter to the Minister protesting against these regulations? Has he never received it?

Mr. Lindgren

As usual, the hon. Gentleman's information is incorrect. [HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."] May I read—

Mr. Martin Lindsay

Why be so rude?

Mr. Lindgren

May I read a letter? Then it will be judged whether my observation was incorrect. The letter, dated 25th January, reads: The British Gliding Association accept as satisfactory the revised proposals in your letter and have no criticism to make. The meeting passed the following resolution: 'The British Gliding Association express their sincerest thanks and appreciation to the right hon. Lord Pakenham, the Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr. W. W. Simpson, Mr. F. F. H. Boxall and other members of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, for the generous consideration they have given to the request of the British Gliding Association, concerning the requirements of the new draft regulations affecting gliders'.

Mr. Turton

Is the Parliamentary Secretary deliberately excluding the letter that his Minister received from the Yorkshire Gliding Club?

Mr. Lindgren

No, Sir, I am giving the letter which was written by the British Gliding Association to my noble Friend the Minister, in regard to the draft regulations.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Has the Parliamentary Secretary any information to justify the charge made against my hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) that his comments were, as usual, inaccurate, and whether such an observation comes properly from a Minister whose statements have been publicly repudiated by the Comptroller and Auditor-General?

Air-Commodore Harvey

Is the Minister aware that I am able to confirm the statement that was made by my hon. Friend? Will he further say why it is necessary to have these new regulations since gliders operated quite successfully up to the outbreak of the war?

Mr. Lindgren

These regulations do not vary the provisions of the regulations very much, and they are entirely to the satisfaction of the British Gliding Association and of the Royal Aero Club.

Mr. Turton

I beg to give notice that owing to the highly unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.