§ 10. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Aviation what were the average monthly hours flown by pilots of British European Airways and the British Over seas Airways Corporation, respectively, in respect of scheduled routes; and what are the permitted monthly flying hours.
Mr. StorehouseLatest available figures show that B.E.A. pilots on scheduled services average 42 flying hours per month, while the average for B.O.A.C. pilots is 45 flying hours per month. The maximum flying hours permitted by law are 115 hours in 28 consecutive days.
§ Mr. ShepherdAs these flying hours are measurably below the level which obtains in the United States, which has an excellent safety record, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is satisfied that we are justified in going to the enormous expense of training a large number of new pilots when there is under-employment of the existing force?
§ Mr. StonehouseAs the hon. Gentleman knows, this point was dealt with in a reply to him by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 1st December last. We are satisfied that B.O.A.C. and B.E.A. are running the Corporations in the best interests of the public and of safety.