§ 8. Miss Burtonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is now in a position to make a statement on his policy regarding safety regulations for civil aircraft; and what decision he has reached concerning the system of backward-facing seats.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, Sir.
§ Miss BurtonIs the Minister aware that it is more than two months since he asked me to put down a Question a little later on, and that it is now considerably more than a little later on? Is he also aware that in Australia all civil aircraft are to be fitted with these seats as from January, 1957? Will he tell the House what he means by "a little later on"?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe reply to the second part of the hon. Lady's supplementary question is that I hope to have the opportunity of a talk tomorrow with the Australian Minister for Air, who is in this country. I shall know a little more about the factors which affected Australia's decision when I have done so. It is very difficult to answer the last part of the supplementary question. Perhaps the hon. Lady will put the question down.
Air Commodore HarveyHas not this question been put to my right hon. Friend and to his predecessors for a great number of years? If this country has a Civil Air Attaché in Australia, why has not my right hon. Friend's Department been kept informed on these matters?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe Department is kept informed on this matter, but when I have the good fortune of being able to discuss the matter with the Australian Minister concerned, I think I should be, wise to take it.