§ Mr. Stokesasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that at the court-martial in connection with the Downside tragedy, it was stated that the pilot instructor had been required to take up an appointment for which he had insufficient experience; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent similar appointments being made in the future?
Mr. AlexanderThe proceedings of the court-martial referred to by the hon. Member have not yet been received in the Admiralty. Until these have been re-2316W ceived and studied, I regret I am unable to comment on the statement in the hon. Member's Question.
§ Mr. Stokesasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the evidence in the proceedings of the court-martial in connection with the Downside tragedy that no low-flying area had yet been allocated in the neighbourhood of the aerodrome from which the aeroplanes in question came and that the ban on flying below 2,000 feet was out of date, he proposes to remedy these matters?
Mr. AlexanderNegotiations for a low flying training area for this air station are well in hand and it is hoped that agreement between the different interests affected will shortly be reached. With regard to the second part of the Question, it is not correct to say that the ban on flying below 2,000 feet is out of date. The orders regulating the occasions on which such flying may be carried out are, however, under review and revised orders will be issued shortly.