§ 49. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Prime Minister whether he will allot a 2281 day before the House rises to discuss the position created by the continued sequence of accidents in the Air Force?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. I regret that I cannot give time for this discussion. Though I deeply deplore such accidents, I am satisfied that every possible precaution has been and will continue to be taken to safeguard the lives of the Royal Air Force personnel.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have just been informed that another accident has occurred to a Gloucester Grebe machine near Folkestone, and whether he is aware of the great anxiety there is in the country in regard to these accidents?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI submit, Mr Speaker, that this is a matter of great concern, and why should I be debarred from putting a question on it?
§ 74. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Secretary of State for Air what is the routine system of investigation into aeroplane accidents in the Royal Air Force; how long it has been in force; and whether he will consider any strengthening of the system of investigation from headquarters?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)As regards the first part of the question, the routine procedure in connection with the investigation of flying accidents is laid down in detail in paragraphs 1312 and 1312, King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions, 1924, from which it will be seen that a Service Court of Inquiry is held on all serious accidents. The reports of all Courts of Inquiry are of course scrutinised in detail at the Air Ministry with the utmost care. An entirely independent investigation is also made into every serious accident by the Inspector of Accidents of the Air Ministry, who renders his reports direct to the Secretary of State. In the light of his report and that of the Service Court of Inquiry all possible steps are taken to prevent a recurrence. In addition, the details of all flying accidents 2282 and forced landings are summarised every six months and investigated statistically with a view to elucidating recurring causes of accidents and other statistical inquiries on special aspects of the problem, such as engine failures, are constantly undertaken. For further information in regard to the measures taken to prevent accidents I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies given on the 22nd and 25th November to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Burton (Colonel Gretton) and the hon. Member for Elland (Mr. Robinson), respectively. As regards the second part of the question, the present system has been in force, subject to minor changes, since the inception of the Royal Air Force. As regards the last part, I am not clear how the present system of investigation could be strengthened, but the question of the prevention of accidents is one which engages constantly the attention of the Secretary of State and of the Air Council, and if it is found that anything more can be done than is being done at present, whether by way of strengthening the investigation or otherwise to prevent crashes, the hon. and gallant Member may be assured that it will be done.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESCould not the hon. Baronet strengthen the system under which only one strengthen makes a supplementary inquiry for the Air Ministry, especially in view of the fact that in many cases that officer has not been able to assign any cause for the accident?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI am satisfied that all precautions are being taken to make the investigation of accidents as strong as possible, but my right hon. Friend will be glad to receive any suggestions which the hon. and gallant Member may have in mind.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESI did not say anything about precautions, but I asked whether it was possible for the system under which only one officer makes an investigation to be strengthened. Could not two or three officers join in these investigations in order to have the benefit of more than one head?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThere are two separate inquiries composed of a sufficient number of people to do the work efficiently.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. Baronet aware that the French Air Force is three times greater than our Air Force, and yet we have many times more accidents than they have; and what action does he take on these reports when he receives them; and, further, will the Air Ministry appoint a Committee to investigate the very serious position which has arisen?
§ Sir P. SASSOONWith regard to the first part of the supplementary question, the French Air Force is not three times the size of ours. It is not double the size of our Air Force. With regard to the number of French air accidents, as far as I am aware, the figures published in the papers are ludicrously underestimated. With regard to appointing a Committee to investigate the whole of this problem, perhaps the hon. Member will put down a further question on that subject.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHA.What does the hon. Baronet mean by the statement that the French Air Force have ludicrously under-estimated the number of their accidents? Does he mean that they publish false figures?
§ Sir P. SASSOONNo, I said "the figures published in the papers."
§ Captain BRASSIs it not a fact that most of these accidents are due to errors of judgment on the part of the pilots?
§ Colonel WOODCOCKIs it not also a fact that a totally independent civil inquiry, apart from that of the Air Force, is held into all accidents which take place in the Air Force?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI said so in my original reply.