HC Deb 27 July 1955 vol 544 cc157-8W
106. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he proposes to take on the findings of the Report on the crash of a Stratocruiser aircraft at Prestwick last December.

Mr. Farey-Jones

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action is being taken as a result of the Report of the Court of Investigation into the accident to the Boeing Stratocruiser G-ALSA on 25th December, 1954.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The main recommendations in the Report which concern the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation are in paragraphs 52 and 53 and deal with the following matters:

  1. (i) I.L.S. After two and a half years of experimenting for operational reasons with sites at either end of the main runway I have decided, after further discussion with the operators to place the I.L.S. glidepath on the 13 approach. It should be operating by 6th August. All this time the localiser of the I.L.S. has been in satisfactory operation on both approaches.
  2. (ii) Telecommunications. I have looked into the question of co-operation in the Telecommunications Division of my Ministry, particularly in connection with the arrangements for con- 158 tinuous and regular flight checking of navigational aids. I find that the position is now satisfactory.
  3. (iii) Marking of points of access to aircraft. Current British Civil Airworthiness Requirements provide that the means of opening points of access to an aircraft shall be adequately marked for the guidance of rescue personnel. I am considering with the Air Registration Board whether special measures should be taken to deal with aircraft types to which these requirements do not apply.
  4. (iv) Battery operated emergency lighting. A requirement for an emergency lighting system in airliners was introduced by a regulation which became effective on 1st January, 1955. The application of this requirement had, however, to be delayed because of difficulties in developing equipment, but installation is now almost complete.

The Report also mentions that the question of tours of duty by aircrews are under consideration by my Department. Consultation with interested parties is now taking place and I am considering the possibility of amending the Regulations.

British Overseas Airways Corporation inform me that they are considering action on the recommendations of the Report which relate to them.