§ Captain GUNSTON(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he has any information to give the House with regard to the fatal flying accident which occurred at Yate, Gloucester, yesterday?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)I am sorry that I have no information at present to supplement what has already appeared in the public Press in regard to this regrettable accident; a full investigation will, of course, take place. It appears that two aircraft from the Bristol Aeroplane Company at Filton, near Bristol, at which members of the Royal Air Force Reserve are trained, were engaged on a training flight, when a collision occurred at a height of about 3,000 feet. As is already known, one occupant of one of the aircraft made a safe descent by parachute, and was the only survivor of the accident. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my noble Friend's and my own deep personal sympathy with the relatives of the three officers who were killed.
§ Captain GUNSTONMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether the inquiry will be public or private; and also whether he will convey his admiration for the gallant effort at rescue made by two onlookers, who were badly burned?
§ Sir P. SASSOONWith regard to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's supplementary question, the form of the inquiry will follow that which is usual in the case of these accidents. With regard to the second part, of course that shall be done.