HC Deb 10 June 1953 vol 516 c193
2. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation whether he has now come to a decision about the use of F.I.D.O. at London Airport.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The technical problems associated with a high pressure F.I.D.O. installation have in the main been solved, but it has not yet been decided whether a large scale experiment is justified, and if so whether such experiment should take place at London Airport. In the latter case, it will also be necessary to reach satisfactory financial arrangements with the users before it is possible to proceed to the installation of a full scale F.I.D.O.

Mr. Beswick

Does the Minister remember that I said pretty well the same thing two years ago? Can he say whether any progress at all has been made within the last two years and when he expects a decision to be made in this matter?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The most important progress of all is that engineering problems associated with the design of burners, lighters and systems of control have, through the work of the Royal Aeronautical Establishment at Farnborough, now been virtually solved.

Mr. Beswick

I was glad to acknowledge that work two years ago. That work had already been done and I was glad to acknowledge it. Does the Minister not appreciate that the question now remaining is whether he is going to take a decision, taking into account the views of the commercial operators? Can he say when a decision is likely to be made?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am fully conscious of the importance of a decision being made, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, not only civil but military aviation is involved as well as questions of public finance. I can assure him that this is being energetically pursued.