HC Deb 27 April 1955 vol 540 cc938-9
71. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what consideration he has given to the developing policy of operators to reduce the number of crew members, though modern aircraft are faster, heavier, and more complex; and what directions or advice he has tendered to the Air Registration Board about the number of crew stations required in new aircraft.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The minimum crews required for airworthiness and operational reasons are governed by the certificate of airworthiness and Air Navigation Regulations. These requirements are carefully watched. As regards the second part of the Question, the Air Registration Board are my expert advisers on airworthiness, and it would not be appropriate for me to give them directions or advice on this matter.

Mr. Beswick

Is not it a fact that there is a tendency to reduce the specialist crew members—the navigator and the radio operator are being eliminated and also, to some extent, so is the flight engineer—and is not this a case where the right hon. Gentleman might well go into the matter with the Air Registration Board to see if some formula could be laid down for the guidance of that body?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Of course I go into each case when I get a recommendation from the Air Registration Board. I consider each matter on its merits. Certainly it would be quite wrong for me to give my expert advisers any instruction.

Mr. Beswick

But is the Minister aware that on the Air Registration Board there is no representative of the operating crews and that it is the opinion of operating crew members to which particular importance should be attached?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I agree that the views of the operating crew members must be given due weight, but I have very high regard indeed for the advice that the Air Registration Board gives to me.