§ 38. Mr. Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Air to what extent the United States American Air Force Douglas B.26 aircraft which developed engine trouble and from which a crew member baled out on 1st March, 1956, was under the control 371 of the Air Traffic Controller, Ringway, Manchester; and what report was made by the pilot by radio to the Air Traffic Controller after the aircraft was airborne.
§ Mr. BirchThe aircraft came within the control of Manchester Airport throughout the flight. Some time after take-off it suffered a partial radio failure which made its reports unintelligible. On landing the pilot reported that he had ordered his engineer to bale out.
Mr. AallaunIn the interests of city dwellers, should not all aircraft, whether or not they are on test, be subject to the traffic controller upon becoming airborne? Should not American pilots adopt British procedure and test their engines at full boost immediately before take-off? That would have revealed the propeller defect in this case.
§ Mr. BirchAs I said in my Answer, this aircraft was under the control of Manchester Airport upon take-off, but there was a radio failure—which does occasionally occur.
§ 39. Mr. Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Air what request was made to local fire services by his Department on 1st March to search for an alleged pilotless aircraft which might have crashed anywhere in the cities of Salford and Manchester, the County Borough of Stockport and urban districts in the vicinity.
§ Mr. AllaunThe Minister has not answered the second part of my supplementary question.
§ Mr. SpeakerThere seems to be some confusion here. I do not think the hon. Member heard the Answer to his Question. I heard the Minister say "None."
§ Mr. AllaunI heard that Answer, but I did not hear the Minister give any answer to the second part of my previous supplementary question.
§ Mr. SpeakerWe have passed on from that Question.