§ Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Air the number of complaints that have been received by his Department from residents in thickly populated districts complaining of the low flying of aeroplanes, which are a danger to the public; and what action he has taken?
§ Sir S. HOAREComplaints of the kind referred to are received from time to time, but the total number is not great. Each complaint is dealt with by906W a senior officer at the Air Ministry, carefully investigated and, if considered desirable, brought to my personal notice. Suitable action is taken wherever the circumstances appear to demand it and the pilot can be identified. For example, a Royal Air Force pilot may he dealt with disciplinarily or even brought before a court-martial; and a civil pilot's licence may be suspended if he can give no reasonable explanation of his low flying and he is also liable to have proceedings taken against him by the police under the Air Navigation Order where by flying at a low altitude or in proximity to persons or dwellings he causes unnecessary danger to persons or property. The Air Ministry is fully alive to the importance of this question, and I am most desirous that the development of aviation in this country shall be attended by a minimum of inconvenience to the general public. I have accordingly had special warnings on the subject issued to both' Service and civil pilots.