HC Deb 28 January 1953 vol 510 cc991-3
20. Air Commodore Harvey

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what measures are being taken to combat fog at the London airports.

Mr. Profumo

As my hon. Friend will appreciate, this is a very complex problem. The following aids already exist at London Airport and Northolt: Radio and Radar Aids; High intensity lighting; Runway day markings and Runway visual range markers. In addition, the Royal Air Force Station, Manston, possess a F.I.D.O. installation. The only way to maintain air services to and from the Metropolis in conditions of severe fog is by diverting aircraft to alternate aerodromes within reasonable range of London.

Air Commodore Harvey

Is my hon. Friend aware that this has been a complex problem for a great many years and his answer does not tell me what has been done in experiments with F.I.D.O. and other means? Is he aware that, if this situation continues, in a few years' time Britain may be severely handicapped and it will be quite intolerable for business people to trade in the future?

Mr. Profumo

I am answering a Question on F.I.D.O. later on. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will await my answer to that Question.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the hon Gentleman aware that a London fog concerns a number of Departments between whom there is a lack of co-ordination and a lack of initiative? Will he make representations to ensure that the problem is considered to be of sufficient gravity for co-ordinated action at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. Profumo

I think that the implication that there is a lack of co-ordination arises in the mind of the hon. and gallant Member as a result of the actions of his own Government; it certainly does not exist now.

Sir H. Williams

Will my hon. Friend consider the possibility of laying F.I.D.O. apparatus along the roads from Brixton to Croydon?

Mr. Shinwell

In view of the attack of the hon. Gentleman on the late Government in this matter, is he aware that there has been much more fog in this country since the Tory Government came into office?

23. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what progress has been made in the experiments and discussion on the possible installation of F.I.D.O. at London airport.

Mr. Profumo

As a result of experiments at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, satisfactory burners for a F.I.D.O. system have been developed. Further work, particularly on igniters, is continuing. Discussion with the airline operators has, of course, been mainly concerned with the likely economic benefits of F.I.D.O. to their operations.

Mr. Beswick

That answer is almost identical, word for word, with one which I gave in this House nearly two years ago, and apparently nothing has been done since that time. As the hon. Gentleman knows so much about co-ordination, can he get a little co-ordination with his hon. Friends behind him, as they knew all the answers to this problem two years ago?

Mr. Profumo

The hon. Member knows very well that a great deal of progress has been made, including a test which was recently carried out at Blackbushe in order to discover pilot and passenger reaction, and it was generally satisfactory. Discussions and experiments are still continuing.

Air Commodore Harvey

Is my hon. Friend aware that when the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) made his statement two years ago he was basing it on what had been done in the days of the war and the Coalition Government?

Mr. Beswick

The hon. and gallant Member is quite wrong. May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to send him a copy of the statement which I then made? Is the Parliamentary Secretary further aware that two years ago it was demanded that a fog dispersal system should be in operation at London Airport for the winter of 1951? What is now being done about that?

Mr. Profumo

If the hon. Member wants to ask a question which relates to matters for which the Minister of Fuel and Power is responsible, he must put a Question down to my right hon. Friend. I hesitate to answer for him.