HC Deb 25 July 1956 vol 557 cc408-9
29. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will ensure, in framing a scheme to prevent the collision of aircraft flying in controlled air spaces, that such standards of separation between aircraft will be enforced as will prevent the occurrence of incidents like near misses.

Mr. Watkinson

I consider that the internationally agreed separation standards already applied to flight under Instrument Flight Rules are adequate. The extent to which aircraft fly under these rules will automatically increase as a result of the change in Visual Flight Rules to which I referred in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) on 6th June.

Mr. Rankin

Is the Minister aware that, replying to me last Wednesday, the Joint Parliamentary Secretary said that in the last six months there had been 58 incidents involving the safety in flight of civil aircraft, but of these only two were "near misses"? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me what exactly are "near misses"?

Mr. Stokes

Something that does not hit.

Mr. Rankin

For the benefit of my right hon. Friend, may I say that I was asking a question of the Minister?

Secondly, can the Minister say whether, in the scheme now being formulated, every aircraft will be brought under complete radar control when it is in flight?

Mr. Watkinson

Of the 58 incidents only two were serious and involved a real danger of collision. That is the definition of "near miss." As to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I do not think that I can pronounce on that until the most careful study which is taking place has been completed and proved the facts, so far as we can. In the meantime, as I have said, we have increased the visual flight distance.

Mr. Beswick

Can the Minister say when he expects to be able to announce the result of the study?

Mr. Watkinson indicated dissent.