§ 6. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Civil Aviation what progress has been made in respect to the South Bank site as a helidrome in connection with the proposal to establish a network of helicopter passenger stations.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. R. Maudling)I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Mr. Teeling) on 22nd October, 1952.
§ Mr. DoddsIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied with the progress that has been made, particularly as the twin-rotor Bristol 173 will be ready in 1955 or before? Cannot he get some of the optimism of his right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply in respect to the development of helicopters?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am satisfied that progress is being made as rapidly as possible in the circumstances, but there are many possible uses for the South Bank site and there are, of course, also many interested parties in its future fate. Therefore, it is not a problem that can be easily and quickly solved.
§ Sir Edward KeelingWould my hon. Friend consider publishing the technical reports which, I believe, have been made about the tests which took place, both in this House and elsewhere, on the noise made by experiments in the use of helicopters on the South Bank?
§ Mr. MaudlingI will certainly look into that matter.