§ 11. Mr. Costainasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the annual loss of light aircraft and occupants in the last five years in the light aircraft channel from Folkestone to Gris Nez.
§ Mr. MasonNone in 1962 and 1963. One aircraft ditched near a ship in 1964 and one near the shore in 1965. One pilot was killed. A helicopter disappeared in July, 1966, and the pilot's body was later recovered from the sea.
§ Mr. CostainIn thanking the Minister for that Answer, may I ask whether he is satisfied that the radar screen is sufficient to locate these aircraft at short notice?
§ Mr. MasonI do not think that that is the problem. As the hon. Member will have noticed from my reply, the flying is done in a light-aircraft channel between England and France, and only two small aircraft have been affected in two years. Both came down into the sea because of engine trouble. The other accident was to a helicopter.