HC Deb 26 July 1950 vol 478 cc438-9
25. Captain Duncan

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many mountain radio warning beacons are still installed and serviceable.

Mr. Beswick

None, Sir.

Captain Duncan

Does not the Minister think that these beacons would be an extra safety precaution in view of the number of recent cases where aeroplanes have crashed into hillsides?

Mr. Beswick

No, Sir. Investigations have taken place into such crashes and have shown that they have occurred on hillsides where beacons would not have been installed in any case.

Mr. John Grimston

Is the Minister not aware that if a beacon had been in operation at the time of the Ringway accident, it might very well have prevented it?

Mr. Beswick

No, Sir. The view of my Department is that careful piloting and a high standard of navigation are the best ways of preventing aircraft from hitting mountains.