§ 28. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Civil Aviation what steps he proposes to take to enforce the use in this country of the new international phonetic alphabet for aviation purposes which has been rejected by the British Air Line Pilots Association and by the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations.
Mr. MandlingNone, Sir, but it is much to be hoped that airlines and aircrew will collaborate in giving a thorough trial to this internationally agreed phonetic alphabet, without which it is impossible to reach a firm conclusion on its merits.
§ Mr. BeswickDoes the Parliamentary Secretary say that he has accepted this scheme but that he does not intend to enforce it? As the men themselves say they are not going to use it, would not the best thing be to take away this silly alphabet and have its phonetic throat cut?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am advised that this alphabet is not legally enforceable in any case, but I suggest that it contains possibilities of substantial advantage on international air routes, and I would ask all those who are concerned with the development of civil aviation to encourage pilots and air lines at least to give it a trial. Until it has been given a trial it is difficult to be certain about its merits.
§ Mr. BeswickMay I ask the Parliamentary Secretary what period of trial he considers to be a fair one?
§ Mr. MaudlingI think that is a question of which I should like notice.