HC Deb 28 January 1974 vol 868 cc6-7
4. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and industry what discussions he has had with the Civil Aviation Authority and with representatives of flying clubs about reducing the accident rate for light aircraft.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The safety performance of light aircraft is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority but I know from recent discussions I have had with the chairman that this is one of the subjects that the authority has under continuous review.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

Does not my hon. Friend agree that, with light aircraft accidents totalling about 200 a year, with attendant fatalities, there is a need for a code of safety and that it would be useful if his Department, the authority and flying clubs got together to work out new regulations and disciplines for light aircraft flying?

Mr. Heseltine

I shall put this point to the chairman of the authority to see whether he feels that publication of a specific code would add to the considerable efforts already made and to the volume of publications which in themselves would constitute such a code. He may feel that it would help to bring them together in one place. My hon. Friend will welcome the fact that there has been an improvement in the safety record. I believe that the authority has contributed to that.

Mr. Tebbit

Does my hon. Friend agree that the maintenance of practice is an important part of preserving competence in light aircraft flying, and that if he continues his ban on Sunday flying the accident rate will become worse? The ban looks ridiculous, compared with the amount of fuel used by motorists in pleasure motoring on Sundays.

Mr. Heseltine

I think that my hon. Friend is making an assumption about the number of accidents, and I do not want to go along with him by agreeing that the one follows from the other. I think he will accept that we have had to take difficult decisions in the light of the energy situation. I do not believe that the argument he advances, unsubstantiated as it is, would warrant our taking any other decision.