§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satified with the drop tests of 9 metres and 1 metre carried out on containers used to carry plutonium by air from Carlisle to Wick; if he will have tests carried out which more adequately represent the heights at which these aeroplanes fly; and if he will take steps to suspend the flights until more adequate tests have been carried out.
§ Mr. HoramI am satisfied that the drop tests which are carried out on these packages in accordance with the international regulations and those laid down by the Department adequately test the stress to which the packages might be subjected in a severe accident. There is, therefore, no question of suspending any flights, because all the required precautions have been taken. The demonstration of the adequacy of the testing arrangements is a rather involved matter, but if my hon. Friend would like to pursue it further I will write to him.