§ 60. Mr. MONTAGUEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the Surrey Flying Services, previous to the crash on Thursday, 26th March, had stated that weather conditions would prevent night work being done and that the pilot of another aeroplane which had been struck in the same cloud had turned back, receiving a severe reprimand; and whether he will make a statement on the matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)The hon. Member is misinformed. I have made inquiries of Surrey Flying Services, who state that weather conditions were favourable for flying when the two pilots set out on 26th March; otherwise they would not have started. Subsequently one of the pilots encountered a severe static storm and after warning the other pilot by wireless turned back to Croydon. So far 2418 from being reprimanded, he was commended for exercising his judgment in returning.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEIs it a fact that one of the pilots said ice formations were encountered at 4,000 feet?
§ Sir P. SASSOONNo, Sir, I did not see that, and the weather conditions were quite favourable for flying before they started.