5. Mr. Cooperasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what consideration has been given to the proposal that airway control shall be operated in clear weather, as well as during conditions of Instrument Flight Rules, in view of the mid-air collisions that have occurred in clear weather due to the glare from the sun; and if he will consider altering his recent regulations accordingly.
§ Mr. BeswickThe feasibility of introducing full airway control in V.F.R. conditions was exhaustively considered, when 190 the airways system was under discussion with all concerned, and for many reasons was not adopted. Compulsory air traffic control, irrespective of weather conditions, has, however, been introduced round the busier airports in the United Kingdom.
Mr. CooperIn the light of experience that has recently come before my hon. Friend, could he give some consideration to the suggestion that it would be in the interests of safety to have these same regulations applying during conditions of good visibility as apply in conditions of bad visibility?
§ Mr. BeswickNo fresh evidence has come before my Department, but clearly this is a matter which we shall watch very carefully, and if necessary modifications will be made.
Mr. Charles Ian Orr-EwingAre the Department experimenting with radar warning equipment in order to avoid any possible trouble, as envisaged in the Question?
§ Mr. BeswickI should require notice of that.