HC Deb 08 December 1965 vol 722 cc392-3
2. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will arrange for the exhibit of Alcock and Brown, together if possible with one of R34, to be put into a prominent position in the car park of the Oceanic Building at London Airport, so that travellers crossing the Atlantic may have their attention drawn to these historic nonstop flights achieved in 1919.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aviation (Mr. John Stone-house)

I am glad to announce that the Alcock and Brown statue will be re-sited prominently on a large expanse of pavement at the end of the South Block adjacent to the Oceanic Building. A model of the R34 is already prominently displayed inside the building.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

While thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for that reply and for the hard work which he has put into this matter, may I ask whether he is aware that the great Smithsonian Institution in Washington makes no mention in its History of Aviation Department of the first flight across the Atlantic by Alcock and Brown and therefore no Americans are aware of any flight across the Atlantic prior to that of Lindbergh? Can the hon. Gentleman confirm that American travellers coming out of the Oceanic Building at London Airport will be able to see this statue of Alcock and Brown in future?

Mr. Stonehouse

I am aware of this point and I congratulate the hon. Member on his initiative in trying to put this matter right. The statue will be seen and it will be floodlit.