§ 91. Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what approaches have been made to him by civil airlines to recognise inter-city helicopter routes; and what further information he can now offer to interested local authorities who have sites available to obtain recognition.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe only application so far made for permission to operate inter-city helicopter services is that recently made by British European Airways for a service on the route Birmingham — Leicester —Nottingham. As regards the second part of the Question, a pamphlet made available to local authorities last year by my Ministry gives up-to-date information on helicopter site requirements.
§ 92. Mr. Pagetasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why, in view of the fact that Northampton has reserved a helicopter landing site close to the town centre and capable of being used by single-engined helicopters without flying over built-up areas, the town cannot he included in the Midlands experimental service linking Birmingham with Nottingham and Leicester.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThis helicopter service is only a limited operation and it is not possible to include in it all the towns in the Midlands that have suitable landing sites. I understand theft British European Airways which is operating the service decided, after a careful review of the operating cost and traffic potential, that the service between Birmingham, Notting-have and Leicester would make the most valuable use of its limited resources.