HC Deb 04 February 1953 vol 510 cc1812-4
5. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what progress has been made in the discussions and experiments with regard to aft-facing seats in civil aircraft; and what is now the policy of his Department.

Mr. Profumo

The results of design studies, which had as their purpose investigation of weight penalties associated with rearward-facing seats, are being examined by the airline Corporations. Meanwhile the policy remains as stated in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Air Commodore Harvey) on 17th December last.

Mr. Beswick

Can I put the same supplementary question this week as I put last week, namely, that as it is two years ago since I gave a similar reply to a Question in this House will the Parliamentary Secretary look into this matter to see if some rather quicker progress cannot be made?

Mr. Profumo

I am not responsible for the length of time which was taken by the hon. Gentleman to make research into this matter when he was in my position. I can only assure the House most sincerely that this matter is constantly under consideration. It would be wrong to make such a requirement mandatory until firm conclusions have been reached that greater safety for passengers would result.

Mr. Beswick

What advice has the hon. Gentleman's Department had from the Air Ministry on this matter? Does not recent experience in the R.A.F. suggest that there is a much greater degree of safety from rearward-facing seats?

Mr. Profumo

Consultations are still going on between my Department and the Air Ministry, but it would be more to the point to take note of the fact that as a result of research in Cornell University some sections of informed American opinion tend to the view that well-designed and strong forward-facing seats are comparable for safety with backward seats in the event of accident.

Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing

What does my hon. Friend mean by "firm conclusions"? Have we to wait until 100, or 1,000, or 10,000 lives have been saved in emergencies, when very firm results have already been achieved in cases where aircraft have landed and occupants have not been harmed because they were in backward-facing seats?

Mr. Profumo

I can only add to what I have said that the information we have at present is not conclusive by any means. It is a debatable point how far we can carry safety measures in the air before stultifying development altogether. The matter will go on being looked into, and if we can reach a firm conclusion I shall most certainly inform the House.