§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Aviation if he is aware that the system for an emergency supply of electricity, which was installed by the Royal Air Force at Aldergrove airport in County Antrim, worked successfully for a number of years; what change in this system had been made which permitted rain to penetrate the cable box 277W connectors of the main terminal distribution centre thereby blacking out the airport on 11th December, 1964; and what changes will be made to ensure that in future there will be no failure of the emergency lighting system at Aldergrove Civil Airport.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe emergency lighting system at Aldergrove is that installed by the Royal Air Force.
The weatherproofing of the old-type distribution cable boxes, into which the rain penetrated on 11th December, 1964, was checked and improved immediately after that occurrence, and other modifications were made in order to prevent it happening again. The boxes are now being completely replaced with modern outdoor switchgear, and certain cables are also being replaced.