HC Deb 21 November 1960 vol 630 cc756-7
33. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will state the functions and purpose of the Civil Aircraft Control Advisory Committee.

Mr. Thorneycroft

This Committee, on which all civil aviation interests are represented, was set up to consider major aircraft control problems and to give advice upon them to my Department.

Mr. Rankin

Is it not also the case that this Committee was asked to look at the major problems of air traffic control and to give advice to the Minister? Does it not appear, from the results, that it has looked at this problem for a very long time but has so far given no advice?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I think that that would be a wrong estimate of its work. It has done useful work, as has also the Air Traffic Control Board which has military as well as civil advisers on it, which I think is very important. I value these bodies, and I think that they will be a help to me in solving what is a very big and difficult problem.