HC Deb 21 March 1951 vol 485 c2399
17. Mr. Gerald Williams

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he can now report any agreement, through an international convention, for the provision of insurance against damage to persons and properties on the ground from aircraft.

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

The Legal Committee of the International Civil Aviation Organisation prepared a draft of an international convention in January of this year. It is hoped that a special international conference will be held later this year to consider the adoption of this draft.

Mr. Williams

If there is no compulsory third party insurance and an aeroplane crashes into a house, doing damage, and the owner of the plane cannot pay because he is not insured, what happens?

Mr. Beswick

That seems to be a hypothetical question.

Mr. Williams

Had not the hon. Gentleman better hurry up and get on with it, as this is done in the case of motor cars?