§ 28. Mr. Mott-Radclyffeasked the Minister of Civil Aviation whether he will re-examine the standards of proficiency in navigation, now accepted by the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the British European Airways Corporation, in respect of captains and navigating officers of their aircraft.
§ Mr. MaudlingNo, Sir; I am satisfied that the Corporations maintain high standards in these matters.
§ Mr. Mott-RadclyffeIn view of the somewhat disquieting facts revealed in the report on the accident to the Hermes aircraft in Africa, does not my hon. Friend think that the navigational qualifications ought to be tightened up in some direction?
§ Mr. MaudlingMy right hon. Friend is considering what has been revealed by the report made by the French authorities on that accident, but, in the meantime, he considers that the standards of safety maintained by both our Corporations are extremely high.