HC Deb 15 December 1926 vol 200 cc2908-9
18. Colonel DAY

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of officers and men of the Royal Air Force killed in flying accidents during each of the three years preceding the last convenient date, together with the number of fatal accidents in the French Air Force during the same period?

Sir S. HOARE

The figures as regards the Royal Air Force during the 12 months ending 9th December in each of the years named were as follow: 1926: 46 officers, 2 cadets, 28 airmen; 1925: 40 officers and 11 airmen; 1924: 48 officers, 1 cadet and 23 airmen. In addition the following naval, military or civilian personnel were involved in fatal accidents to Royal Air Force machines:—In 1926, 7; 1925, 4; 1924, 2. As regards the French Air Force, according to my information statistics of the number of fatal accidents are not made public by the French authorities. I may say, however, that in the course of a debate in the Chamber, at the end of November, it was stated that there had been 13 fatal accidents in the French Military Air Service on a single type of machine in the space of two months. Whilst this, no doubt, represents an exceptional period such as all air services must experience from time to time, it is apparent from this fact and other confidential information in my possession that figures which have recently been cited in this House purporting to suggest that the accident rate in France has, during the past two or three years, been more favourable than in this country, are totally inaccurate.

45. Colonel GRETTON

asked the Prime Minister if an independent inquiry, with a chairman not connected with the Air Force, will be set up immediately with full powers to investigate and report upon all the circumstances connected with flying accidents, both fatal and non-fatal, which have occurred recently in the Royal Air Force?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)

No, Sir. As I informed the House last Thursday, I am satisfied that every possible precaution is being taken, and an inquiry of the kind proposed would, in my view, serve no useful purpose.