HC Deb 29 November 1950 vol 481 cc1129-30
6. Mr. G. Ward

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will give an assurance that the terms of reference of the recently appointed Brabazon Committee include the consideration of whether flying control officers should be given the power to close an aerodrome when, in their view, the weather has detriorated below the minimum safe conditions.

Mr. Beswick

Yes, Sir. The terms of reference of the Lord Brabazon inquiry are: To conduct an investigation into the relative responsibilities of the pilots of aircraft and the aerodrome authorities in relation to landings in bad weather.

Mr. Ward

Will the Minister bring to the notice of the Brabazon Committee the fact that Great Britain is at the moment the only country which does not lay down a minimum visibility limit below which an airfield is closed except in emergency?

Mr. Beswick

That fact and others are already known by the Committee.