35. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that a Pan-American passenger aircraft from New York, which arrived over London Airport at 9 a.m. on 30th January, was kept circling overhead for six hours, finally landing at Hurn about 3 p.m., that the passengers were then kept in the aeroplane for a further three hours, that only three Customs officers were on duty to deal with some thirty aeroplanes, and that only after special representations to the station master was a train made available to take these passengers and others up to 1185 London at 10.30 p.m.; and whether, in view of the importance of dealing with long-distance aircraft arrivals more expeditiously and courteously in fog conditions, he will investigate this incident with a view to urgent remedial action.
§ Mr. NeaveI am informed that the aircraft "Clipper 100" arrived in the London area just before 11 a.m. and circled for about four hours because the pilot hoped for an improvement in the weather over London Airport. Before it arrived at Hum, six additional Customs officers were on duty there. Arrangements for dealing with passengers on landing after a diversion and for their subsequent transport are the responsibility of the operators, in this case Pan-American Airways. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the officials of my Department at Hum did all they could for the comfort of the passengers, but he will keep the matter under review.
Mr. Gresham CookeWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that, after these passengers had been circulating in the air for many hours, when they arrived at Hum they could not get out of the aeroplane for lack of ladders; and that they were then delayed for several hours trying to get through the Customs? As we know, fog is a very frequent occurrence in this country. Would it not he better to have an emergency operation for dealing with people at these diversionary airports? Finally, is my hon. Friend aware that among the distinguished passengers was the producer of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof "?
§ Mr. NeaveMy information is not at all in accordance with what my hon. Friend has said. It is that the Pan-American London airport traffic manager said that the reason the passengers were left on board the aircraft was for their own comfort, that they were provided with refreshments and that there was no shortage of aircraft steps.