26. Mr. Watkinsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what support is being given to the experimental helicopter service between Cardiff, Wrexham and Liverpool; and what prospects there are of extending such service to other important centres in North and South Wales.
§ Mr. BeswickI am informed that for the first month the passenger load factor on this service averaged about 45 per cent. The present service is running at a substantial loss, which is at present justified by the experience being gained from the operation of a scheduled service, but there can be no question of substantially extending helicopter services until a more economic type can be brought into operation.