HC Deb 06 December 1967 vol 755 cc333-4W
Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what inquiries he has set on foot into the safety considerations involved in the operation of very large passenger aircraft equipped with not more than two power-plants.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

The safety regulations which govern the operation of all public transport aircraft are under constant review and take into account the number of power plants. These regulations, updated as necessary, will apply to the coming generation of very large passenger aircraft.

Mr. John Page

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that maintenance and reliability standards of aircraft are being maintained so that the public may continue to repose complete confidence in the safety standards of British commercial aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

The establishment of standards relating to air-worthiness, maintenance and reliability of aircraft are matters which have been delegated to the Air Registration Board.

These standards comply with, and in many cases are more exacting than, those minimum standards agreed internationally. The Air Registration Board ensures that they are maintained by the examination and licensing of aircraft maintenance engineers, the approval and surveillance of overhaul facilities and where public transport operations are involved, the investigation of engineering and maintenance facilities available to the airline for the proposed operations.

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