HC Deb 30 May 1951 vol 488 cc185-8
1. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether the Birmingham-London helicopter service, to be inaugurated on 1st June, 1951, is to be regarded as an experimental and precursor service; how far plans are developed for linking Birmingham by helicopter service with Ringway, Manchester, and Speke, Liverpool; and when these further helicopter services will be introduced.

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

The Birmingham-London helicopter service will be primarily an experiment in single-engined helicopter operation, designed to gain the operational and commercial experience necessary for the successful economic development of the twin-engined helicopter. The service will also help to meet a public demand in the Midlands for air connections with Northolt and London Airports. No plans have been made for extending the service from Birmingham to Manchester and Liverpool.

Mr. Nabarro

Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that the triangle, Birmingham-Liverpool-Manchester, represents ideal routing for helicopter services; and, in view of the established airfields at these cities, can consideration be given to the inauguration of such a service as an adjunct to the Birmingham-London service?

Mr. Beswick

Consideration could be given to that suggestion, but I do not think it is possible within the present budget with this particular aircraft.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

Would the hon. Gentleman consider, at a later date no doubt, the inclusion of a service not only from London to the centre of Birmingham but also to the B.I.F. engineering section at Castle Bromwich for the economy of time of overseas buyers?

Mr. Beswick

I will certainly give consideration to that.

2. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether there are any technical or economic obstacles to the creation of helicopter landing grounds, erected as superstructures to such main railway stations as New Street or Snow Hill in Birmingham, or St. Pancras or Victoria in London, in order to obviate motor omnibus journeys from the centre of such cities as Birmingham and London to the present flying fields and consequent delays for passengers.

Mr. Beswick

Without accepting the premise that the use for the helicopter mentioned in the last part of the Question would be economic or operationally feasible, we do not rule out the erection of superstructures over main railway stations. There are, however, constructional and other practical difficulties in adapting railway stations, and in this context we are bound to bear in mind the economic claims of other types of elevated site for helicopter landing grounds.

Mr. Nabarro

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that, from a commercial point of view, helicopter internal and feeder services can hardly succeed in this country unless we can obviate the long delays involved in getting passengers from the centres of cities to the established airfields? Can the hon. Gentleman not use the waiting period for the development of helicopter twin-rotors to plan out these stations?

Mr. Beswick

That is a problem which is engaging our attention.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

In connection with the provision of superstructures in London, will my hon. Friend give priority to a superstructure over Charing Cross station, as suggested by my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds) recently? Will he also consult the Home Secretary with a view to exploring the possibility of using helicopter stations in connection with the Civil Defence organisation?

Mr. Bossom

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that it would be much cheaper to put a superstructure over a railway station than to buy property in order to make a landing ground?

Mr. Beswick

There are a number of arguments about the matter, and various suggestions are now being considered, including the scheme to which my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) referred.

3. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether, in view of the development of a twin-engined helicopter, he will now state the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the development of helicopter services between provincial cities in the United Kingdom, and London and certain main provincial cities.

Mr. Beswick

Only one type of twin-engined helicopter is at present being built in the United Kingdom, and this has not yet flown. The policy of His Majesty's Government for the development of helicopter services is under consideration in the light of the recommendations of the First Report of the Inter-Departmental Helicopter Committee.

Mr. Nabarro

Can the Parliamentary Secretary assure the House that opposition from British Railways, owing to the possibility of their losing fare paying passengers, will not be allowed to impede or hinder this essential helicopter development?

Mr. Beswick

That seems to come within the category of hypothetical questions.

Mr. Dodds

In view of the favourable reports received about the progress of the twin-engined helicopter, the Bristol 173, can my hon. Friend give an assurance that steps are now being taken so that when it becomes a practical proposition there will be no undue delay in getting it into operation?

Mr. Beswick

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Grimond

Following upon what the hon. Member has just said, can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether, so that any delay may be obviated, experiments for helicopter services are being carried out between islands as well as between centres such as London and Birmingham?

Mr. Beswick

No experiments are being carried out specifically between islands, although we have carried out experiments in other parts of the country besides these two main cities.