§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research his Department has carried out into the effects of a bullet fired from a revolver or pistol inside aircraft carrying civil passengers at different heights and the safety factors involved if aircrew shoot at hijackers.
§ Mr. OnslowThere has been research into the effects of both shooting and explosions in aircraft but it would not be in the public interest to state the results. However, in the case of shooting there would clearly be a risk, particularly if there were a reaction from the hijacker, that other aircrew members or innocent passengers might be hit or that a bullet might damage essential systems in the aircraft.