HC Deb 18 March 1974 vol 870 c22W
Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, pending the outcome of the French inquiry into the recent crash of a Turkish airliner near Paris, he will require all British operators of DC10 aircraft to ensure that the rear cargo doors of these aircraft are either sealed or locked by automatic means before take-off.

Mr. Shore

Laker Airways, the only British operator of these aircraft, has permanently closed the rear cargo door of its DC10 aircraft and has screwed a metal plate over the lock handles. These doors will not be put back in use until some additional modifications and checks which are now being done have been carried out. I am assured by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is responsible for British airworthiness standards, that it is satisfied with the measures taken by Laker Airways.