§ 3.13 p.m.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are Proposing to institute a system of licensing of British civil aviation firms and regular inspection of their fleets so as to ensure a high and uniform standard of operation techniques, aircraft maintenance, equipment and personnel in British aviation as a whole.]
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, the aircraft, premises and operational equipment and organisation of British civil aviation firms which are engaged in scheduled service work are already inspected by the technical officers of my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, and arrangements are in hand to make this inspection ever more comprehensive.
My right honourable friend is also considering whether it would be advantageous to require that firms should not engage in any public transport operations until they have been inspected and have received a licence for the work that they wish to do. Detailed proposals are now being prepared for consideration by my right honourable friend.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for that encouraging Answer, may I ask him whether 943 he will put before his right honourable friend the necessity for an early decision in this matter, because a general operating licence system was advocated by the British Independent Air Transport Association as long ago as April, 1958?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that my right honourable friend is well aware of the urgency of this matter.