§ 50. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many local authorities have sought his advice and asked for information on the establishment of inter-city air travel stations in view of the rapid development of the helicopter; and what advice and information he has given them.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterSixty-seven local authorities have sought advice or information about the establishment of helicopter stations. They have been given such general guidance as the present state of knowledge of the performance and other characteristics of this type of machine permits.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is now half a century since buses started carrying passengers and that only today are many of our large cities establishing bus stations? Is the right hon. Gentleman to take 50 years before he establishes a station for helicopters?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI sincerely hope not, but it is necessary for both local authorities and my Department, in deciding what they want to do in this direction, to be quite clear what will be the weight of the aircraft using the stations, what clearance will be required and many other technical problems.
§ Mr. AwberyWill the Minister encourage the establishment of stations for helicopters?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am all for the enterprise of local authorities to assist in the provision of stations of this kind.