HC Deb 26 March 1958 vol 585 c422
24. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now state the detailed steps taken by his Department to implement the recommendations made on 1st May, 1957, of the commission of the public inquiry into the accident to the aircraft G-AJBO, regarding the enforcement of regulations concerning aircrew tests.

Mr. Watkinson

I hope to introduce by the end of this summer revised procedures for testing pilots following my acceptance in principle of the recommendations in the accident report dated 17th October, 1957. Discussions have taken place with interested parties and detailed procedures are now being worked out. I will make a fuller statement as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Mr. Beswick

Does not the Minister agree that this has now gone on for a long time? It is ten months since the Commissioner made his recommendations. Was it not the substance of his recommendations that if tests and regulations are laid down, they should be enforced? Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that he has an adequate staff to ensure that the operator carries out the regulations laid down by the Minister for general safety and for the competence of air crews?

Mr. Watkinson

There has been an interval of six months since the Report. I am just as anxious as the hon. Member to get something done; it is most important. In reply to the second part of his supplementary question, I would say that my staff is adequate to enforce the regulations.