§ 16. Mr. Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the standards of safety on British airlines have been affected by the present shortage of aviation fuel.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineThe general shortage of aviation fuel has resulted in there being certain areas in which only wide-cut fuel is available. I am advised by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is responsible for safety matters, that danger from fire may be greater with this fuel in the event of certain types of accident. In view of the rarity of these circumstances the use of wide-cut fuel has only a marginal effect on safety but British airlines have been advised by the CAA to use kerosene wherever it is obtainable.
§ 20. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will issue a direction to British Airways prohibiting the use of low flashpoint fuel, in view of the danger arising therefrom.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineNo. The Civil Aviation Authority advises me that although JP1 (aviation kerosene) is the preferred fuel the additional risk from using JP4 (wide-cut gasolene) is only marginal.