§ 5. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Civil Aviation whether he will now announce the result of his discussions with the London County Council regarding the site of a landing station for helicopters in Central London.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydDiscussions with the London County Council have covered the earmarking of a site on the South Bank for occasional landings in existing helicopters, and suggestions for a larger airstop capable of coping with the intermediate 13-seater Bristol 173 when it can come into regular service.
In the meanwhile, and until more is known of the characteristics of the intermediate type, I do not propose to commence work on an airstop in Central London and I am confident that we shall be able to finalise requirements and to develop an airstop before the intermediate type is in commercial service.
The long-term requirements for a permanent airstop to accommodate the largest helicopters will, of course, depend on the experience gained in handling the intermediate types.
§ Lieut-Colonel LiptonDoes the answer not mean that for a long time to come the Minister is going to do nothing about anything, and that London is not to have a helicopter airstop capable of dealing with modern helicopters? Is it not quite clear that either the South Bank or the roof of Waterloo Station are likely to be the most suitable sites for this purpose?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt may well be that somewhere on the South Bank, not necessarily on the existing site but somewhere on the South Bank, or on the roof of Waterloo Station may well turn out to be the final place, but it would be unwise to act in advance of knowledge on which alone a decision can properly be based.