§ Mr. Usborneasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why no doctor or ambulance was available at Elmdon when British European Airways Corporation's flight 576 landed on 27th July; if he is aware that, at take-off and during the storm, passengers were not instructed to fasten their safety belts; and if he will take proceedings against the pilot for failure to comply with his safety regulations.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am informed that the station ambulance was standing by on the apron when the aircraft landed, and that a doctor and a local ambulance, having been summoned on receipt of a radio message from the pilot eight minutes before the aircraft landed, arrived a minute or two later, and that the doctor was ready to commence treatment by the time the first of the injured passengers—none of whom was a stretcher case—had202W walked the few yards from the aircraft to the first-aid room.
As regards the second part of the Question, I am informed by B.E.A. that passengers were instructed to fasten their safety belts both at take-off and immediately prior to entering the area of turbulent air. The third part of the Question therefore does not arise.