§ 66. Mr. GEORGE HARVEYasked the Secretary of State for Air whether any official investigation has taken place into the cause of the accident by which E. T. Willows and four passengers lost their lives in a captive balloon accident; and can he state what steps he proposes to take to secure air worthiness of captive balloons, and thereby prevent as far as possible a repetition of such regrettable accidents?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the existing regulations require all aircraft, including captive balloons, to be certified as airworthy, and, in addition, special permission in writing is necessary before captive balloons are flown. I may add that the question of the procedure in connection with the certification of balloons is at present under review.