HC Deb 28 January 1953 vol 510 cc986-9
12. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation if reconsideration will be given to the erection of a helidrome over the railway track leading into Charing Cross station for use as a helicopter passenger station; and whether he will also give consideration to a new set of plans submitted by the hon. Member for Dartford with the necessary revisions dealing with queries raised by his predecessor when plans were submitted in July, 1951.

15. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what further consideration has been given to constructing a landing stage for helicopters over Charing Cross station.

The Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr. Alan Lennox-Boyd)

I have considered with interest the plans placed in the Library by the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds). Elevated sites such as that proposed over Charing Cross station may be found to be efficient and economical airstops of the future. But at present not enough is known of the performance of multi-engined helicopters, and the areas they require, to warrant detailed planning of particular elevated sites.

Mr. Dodds

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is a fact that his Ministry asked local authorities in large cities some considerable time ago to allocate sites in the centre of the cities for this purpose? If that is so, does he not appreciate that the vital decision that must be taken, and soon, not only on behalf of the local authorities but for the development of helicopters in peace and war, is a site in central London, because all depends on that?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There are three other Questions which I shall answer shortly, concerning the need for a helicopter station sited in central London. The Question of the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) related to a particular form of station, and it was that Question which I was answering.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is it not clear from the original answer of the right hon. Gentleman that in his view, apparently, this Charing Cross site is likely to prove the cheapest and the least inconvenient site for a helicopter station in central London?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The hon. and gallant Gentleman had better read my answer, which certainly did not give that impression.

Mr. Nabarro

Is it not possible that a preliminary elevated stage to deal with helicopters of the type at present being flown, namely the Bristol 171 and 173, could be erected in central London and elsewhere and later extended and reinforced to take heavier types as they come along?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am by no means ruling out such a development. All I was anxious to convey to the House was that we do not yet know enough about twin-engined helicopters to warrant detailed planning with the very great expense involved. The Bristol 173, the first twin-engined helicopter in the world to fly, to which great credit attaches, is still only being flown by the manufacturing firms concerned.

13. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation which sites, other than that on the South Bank, are being considered as possible helidromes in London so that full advantage will be taken of utilising helicopters in our transport system at as early a date as possible.

14. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation in view of the fact that the South Bank site is considered unsuitable as a helicopter passenger station, what other sites adjoining the Thames are under consideration.

11. Mr. Reeves

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what progress has been made in arriving at a decision on the site in London to be used as a helicopter passenger station.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Discussions have been re-opened with the London County Council on the general question of airstops. I hope that we shall reach agreement on a temporary site in the Festival area for occasional communication flights with the small helicopters now flying. We are also exploring the possibility of earmarking a temporary site, also on the South Bank of the river, against the time when experiments start, probably in 1954, with the twin-engined helicopters. Other available sites for permanent airstops in central London are also under examination.

Mr. Dodds

Is the Minister aware that I am raising this matter on the Adjournment on Tuesday night?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am quite aware of that.

Mr. Speaker

I am glad to hear that.

Mr. Dodds

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I purposely worded my supplementary question so that I did not give notice that I would raise the matter. I asked if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that I would raise it on Tuesday night.

Mr. Speaker

If it is to be raised on the Adjournment we can pass on to the next Question.

16. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what provincial sites are contemplated for helidromes as counterparts to the proposed sites in central London; and, in particular, what facilities for central city sites are proposed over or adjacent to the main railway stations in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester in preparation for a rapid triangular service between the centres of each of the cities with connections to central London.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. John Profumo)

As my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Mr. Teeling), was informed in reply to a Question on 22nd October last, the earmarking of sites for airstops in provincial cities is a matter for the local authorities. I understand that many local authorities, including Birmingham and Manchester, have this very much in mind, and that a number have reserved sites.

Mr. Nabarro

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is quite insufficient to go only as far as the stage of earmarking a site and that what is wanted from the principal authorities, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester, are plans for the erection of elevated sites? Is it not useless having that development in London unless there are complementary sites in the provinces? Will my hon. Friend urge on these local authorities the preparation of such plans?

Mr. Profumo

I do not think we can go any further than we have gone at present, because it seems quite definite that it would be wrong to go into more detail until the characteristics of multi-engined helicopters are better known.