HC Deb 06 March 1961 vol 636 cc6-7
6. Mr. Cronin

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he is taking to achieve safety for passengers arriving at and departing from civil airports in the United Kingdom, in view of the use by certain foreign airlines of J.P.4, a 60 per cent. petrol 40 per cent. kerosene mixture which ignites very easily, as fuel for jet and turbine-engined aircraft, instead of kerosene.

Mr. Thorneycroft

Fire precautions at civil airports in the United Kingdom are based on experience with highly inflammable aviation petrol which is still widely used in piston-engined aircraft. No special precautions are therefore necessary for J.P.4 fuel.

Mr. Cronin

Is it not the case that passengers travelling in aircraft using this fuel are much more likely to be exposed to extreme risk and danger than passengers travelling in aircraft fuelled with kerosene? Is it not, therefore, a responsibility of the Minister to see that some inquiry is made about this and also to see that passengers who travel on foreign airlines using this apparently dangerous fuel should be warned of the risk to which they are exposed?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The relative safety factors of J.P.1 and J.P.4 are a separate matter. We are doing some further studies on it and expert opinion is not unanimous. Regarding the specific point which the hon. Gentleman asked about, the fire services are based on the use of highly inflammable petrol anyway, and so the point is irrelevant.

Mr. Cronin

May we take it that there will be an early publication of a report on safety aspects in the use of J.P.1 and J.P.4?

Mr. Thorneycroft

There has been wide publicity and many reports, but I will consider the hon. Gentleman's request.

Mr. Chetwynd

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the assurance that there is little likelihood of danger arising because of the methods taken at London Airport to deal with the matter?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Certainly there is no danger arising from the methods adopted at London Airport. We are dealing anyway with highly inflammable fuel used by piston-engined aircraft.