HC Deb 02 April 1958 vol 585 cc1206-7
22. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when helicopter landing facilities will be provided on or near the River Thames in central London.

Mr. Neave

Applications by two private firms for planning permission to provide helicopter landing facilities on the River Thames in Central London are to be heard at public local inquiries arranged by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government. I cannot anticipate his decisions.

Mr. Lipton

Will not the hon. Gentleman agree that such facilities ought to be available in a capital city like London? Will he also say that this interesting and useful enterprise on the part of a Battersea engineering firm generally has his approval?

Mr. Neave

I think that the approval must come from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to know that the applications are for a site near York Road, Battersea, and for a floating pontoon adjoining the Albert Embankment, Lambeth.