§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the implications of the E1 A1 flight crash in Amsterdam for the disposition of cargo flights at United Kingdom airports; if he will give consideration to the safety aspects at United Kingdom airports where the flight paths are over densely populated areas; if he will consider recommending increased use of airports where the flightpaths are over sea and countryside, for cargo flights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisThe Department of Transport has taken advice from the CAA, including the National Air Traffic Services on this important matter.
Cargo flights by United Kingdom airlines are subject to the same airworthiness, maintenance and operational requirements as passenger flights, thus there is no reason to treat them differently from the point of view of the safety of third parties on the ground. Most of the major airports are near large centres of population and some of the flight paths unavoidably pass over built-up areas. The safety implications of the E1 A1 accident for United Kingdom airports have been studied carefully by the 215W National Air Traffic Services. It will maintain its policy of giving the pilot of an aircraft in distress whatever help he requests to effect a safe landing.