HC Deb 14 July 1966 vol 731 cc1696-7
17. Mr. Lubbock

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the introduction of new flight time limitations.

Mr. Mason

The Department hopes to announce its new proposals for flight time limitations within the next few weeks. They will be circulated to all interested parties for comment before the current legislation is amended.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it was as long ago as November of last year that the then Minister of Aviation wrote to me saying that he expected that interim changes in flight time limitations would be introduced? Why have we had to wait for nine months for this to happen? Will the hon. Gentleman make sure that every opportunity is taken for consultation with the British Air Line Pilots' Association and others before these changes are put into effect?

Mr. Mason

We are trying to speed up this process. This is being done in the interests of safety. Many consultations are taking place, and we hope that the legislation can be prepared for late 1967 or early 1968. Consultations must take place in the meantime.

Mr. Rankin

Will the hon. Gentleman try to see that the aircraft flying times are based on the assumption that aircraft always have to contend with a headwind?

Mr. Mason

Yes.