§ 7. Mr. Doddsasked the First Lord of the Admiralty on how many occasions Royal Naval helicopters have been used for transportation purposes to or from built-up areas near the centre of London; and what safety precautions are required to be observed.
§ Commander NobleOn seven occasions since October, 1952. The aircraft observes the precautions laid down by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation for a civil helicopter and, when in flight, follows the line of the river to the maximum extent practicable.
§ Mr. DoddsDoes the Minister feel that any unreasonable risks were taken when an helicopter landed in the region of Green Park and, if not, would he have a word with his right hon. Friend and, from the experience gained by single-engined helicopters of the Royal Navy, indicate to him that the fears about the 344 unreliability of helicopters does not appear to be as great as he seems to think?
§ Commander NobleI do not think that helicopters are unreliable. I will certainly bear in mind the points which the hon. Gentleman has raised.