§ 8. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Civil Aviation what life-saving apparatus must be carried by passenger-carrying aircraft flying over the sea; and if it is obligatory under his regulations to in struct fare-paying passengers on the use of such equipment.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe provision of lifebelts is a standard requirement for all flights over the sea. Dinghies must also be carried on flights of more than 90 minutes distance from land. Aircraft with inadequate performance when one engine is inoperative must carry dinghies for flights of more than 30 minutes' distance from land. Instructions in the use of lifebelts must be displayed in the passenger compartments, and a practical demonstration is required for flights of more than 30 minutes' distance from the land.
§ Mr. BeswickWithout wishing to comment on the recent accident, into which I expect the Minister is making an inquiry, may I ask whether his attention has been called to the statement appearing in the Press that this charter company had decided, as a matter of policy, not to instruct its passengers in the use of this equipment; and can he say what action he is taking about that?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThis accident—if the hon. Gentleman means the Consul accident—is now being investigated by my Chief Inspector of Accidents, and it would obviously be wrong for me to make any comment at the moment.