§ 2. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Supply what progress has been made in recent months in the production of helicopters designed to be suitable for passenger services.
§ Mr. SandysTwo types of twinengined helicopters suitable for passenger service are being developed under Ministry of Supply contracts. One of these, the Bristol 173, is approaching the stage when orders could be placed. The scale of production will depend upon the volume of orders.
§ Mr. DoddsI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that statement, but is he aware that there are people in the business who feel that the Government are not giving all the encouragement they might, in view of the great possibilities of helicopters in both peace and war? Are the Government giving the necessary support?
§ Mr. SandysAs I have said before, I share the hon. Gentleman's enthusiasm for helicopters, but no good will be done by my repeating it at such frequent intervals. The Government are well aware of the importance of the helicopter, and we are doing everything possible to encourage its development and production.
§ Mr. WoodburnHas any progress been made towards giving confidence in taking these machines over water, such as would be involved in services to the Highlands and Islands? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a bar on taking them across water?
§ Mr. SandysI will be very glad to take a trip with the right hon. Gentleman to show that we have every confidence in them.
§ Mr. WoodburnI went up in a helicopter in the pioneering days. The point is that helicopters are not allowed to take passengers over water. Have we got to the stage when that bar can be lifted?
§ Mr. SandysWhen it comes to carrying passengers as a paying service, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, all sorts of additional precautions are insisted upon and are no doubt desirable. I, too, was engaged in the earlier stages, when the auto-gyro was in its prime.