HC Deb 07 February 1951 vol 483 cc1712-4
13. Mr. Dodds

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if, in view of the many experiments that have been made into the use of the helicopter for inter-city travel, he will give consideration to the possibility of introducing a network of helicopter services operating between city centres in the near future; or what is holding up developments of this kind.

Mr. Beswick

My noble Friend has reached the conclusion that the introduction of scheduled helicopter services between city centres, involving flight over built up areas, should await the production of suitable twin or multi-engined helicopters.

Mr. Dodds

Can my hon. Friend explain why his Department demand such fantastically high third-party insurance premiums? Is he aware that I hired a helicopter for £95, but that the insurance premium was £115? Why do his Department give such favourable treatment to other types of aircraft in a similar position?

Mr. Beswick

That is another question entirely, in the same way as the helicopter is a different type of aircraft to those normally used.

Mr. Dodds

But they all have accidents.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

With regard to the Birmingham-London section of this network and the experiments that have been carried out, does the hon. Gentleman's reply mean that these experiments will be discontinued even if a landing ground can be found, say, just outside the built-up area of the city?

Mr. Beswick

Not necessarily. I referred specifically to services over built-up areas. In the case of the Birmingham-London route, if it is adopted it would not be over built-up areas.

Major McCallum

As far as these inter-city experimental routes for helicopters are concerned, does not the Parliamentary Secretary think that where alternative communications are available it would be better to carry out the experiments in more remote areas, where no other communication is possible?

Mr. Beswick

We have been carrying out experiments over more remote areas, but it would also be useful to carry out experiments between areas in which the density of traffic is higher.

14. Mr. Dodds

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether the Inter-Departmental Committee set up to look into the potential use of the helicopter has yet made a Report or when this can be expected.

Mr. Beswick

Yes, Sir. A first Report of the Inter-Departmental Helicopter Committee has been submitted to my noble Friend who has decided, in view of its general interest, to publish it.

Mr. Dodds

Is my hon. Friend aware that progressive business firms are incorporating helicopter landing places in their new factories? Is there any hope that this will be brought to realisation in the next 10 to 20 years?

Mr. Beswick

It is certainly possible to say there will be services within the time stated by my hon. Friend.

Mr. Driberg

May I ask my hon. Friend whether the Report deals only with the potential civilian use of helicopters? Is he aware that many more helicopters could be used as ambulances and for other war purposes in the Far East? Will he see that that gets priority, important as the other matter may be?

Mr. Beswick

I think my hon. Friend is confusing two matters, and I suggest that he puts down a Question on the use of helicopters to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Air.