§ 33. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry how many officers and men of the Royal 1218 Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force have been killed by accident in this country during the past six months; and whether at the coroners' inquests that have been held in connection with these accidents expert evidence has been given as to their cause?
§ Major BAIRDIt it not in the public interest to give the figures asked for in the first part of the question. As regards the second part of the question, a Court of Inquiry by senior officers as to the cause of any accident is immediately held, and these officers give evidence at the coroner's inquest. In any case where it appears possible that the construction of the aeroplane was at fault a further inquiry is made by a special accidents committee responsible directly to the Air Ministry.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWhy is it that the figures asked for in this question have been given on previous occasions and now cannot be given? Is it because there has been a great increase in the number of accidents?
§ Major BAIRDI am not aware on what occasion those figures were given. I am quite prepared to tell the hon. Gentleman in private why they cannot be given. Indeed, there was an answer to a question not put explaining that these figures would be misleading unless they were accompanied by the statement of the number of pilots under instruction and training, and it is impossible in the public interest to give that information, for the simple fact that the Germans do not give us that information.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman, at any rate, bear in mind the concern that is felt about the large number of accidents that are taking place?
§ Major BAIRDI am informed that is so, but if the hon. Member attended the meeting addressed by the Secretary of State upstairs he will recollect that my right hon. Friend went very fully into this question, and, in view of the additional circumstances to which I have referred, there is no justification for alarm on the ground that there is an undue number of accidents.
§ Colonel C. LOWTHERIs it not a fact that the great proportion of accidents have happened in machines Known as the R.E.8?
§ Major BAIRDOh, no; certainly not.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITECan the hon. and gallant Gentleman give any assurance—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe had better pass on. There are over 100 questions to-day.