HC Deb 03 February 1954 vol 523 cc351-2
30. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the public interest over the advisability of installing backward-facing seats in aircraft; that, in giving evidence before a Select Committee on 22nd April last, both the Chairman of the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the Chief Executive of the British European Airways Corporation were of the opinion that the value of such seating accommodation was exaggerated; and if, in view of the accident to a transport aeroplane on 20th January last when 12 people were saved, he will make a statement of his policy regarding safety regulations for civil aircraft.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The answer to the first and second parts of the Question is "Yes." Until the International Civil Aviation Organisation makes backward-facing seats a standard international requirement, any compulsory provision in British certificates of airworthiness alone would impose competitive penalties on British airlines and might prejudice the sales of our aircraft abroad. Nevertheless, I am glad to say the structures of new types of aircraft to be delivered to the Corporations will allow of the fitting of backward-facing seats if they should be generally adopted.

Miss Burton

Is the Minister aware that I was not necessarily advocating these seats, since I do not know enough about the subject, but that there is considerable public interest in it and I am grateful to him for what he has done?

London—Yorkshire Service

33. Mr. G. Jeger

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the lack of an air service between London and Yorkshire; and what plans he has to remedy this.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I realise that there is no air service between London and Yorkshire, but no one has applied to the Air Transport Advisory Council to fly one. Provision of this service is essentially a matter for the commercial judgment of operators.

Mr. Jeger

Is the Minister aware that there are many people, who have to travel frequently and as rapidly as possible between London and Yorkshire, who would appreciate the provision of an air service between the two points and that there are excellent facilities at Yeadon and Doncaster which could serve Yorkshire?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

If the hon. Member can succeed in selling the idea to a sufficient number of people, I am sure that an operator would come forward.

Mr. T. Williams

Will the right hon. Gentleman give all the publicity he can to the facilities at Doncaster?