HC Deb 15 December 1936 vol 318 cc2276-7
Captain HAROLD BALFOUR

(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement on the circumstances of the crashes and forced landings to six out of the seven aircraft of No. 102 Squadron on Saturday last; whether the Meteorological Service Reports forecasted fog conditions over England in the northern area, whether such reports were handed to the responsible officers before departure, and whether the aircraft were in wireless communication at all times during the flight with ground stations; and, further, will he give an assurance that these and other relevant considerations will be the subject of inquiry in order to prevent a recurrence of such disasters, and will he undertake that a full report shall, as soon as possible, be given to the House?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)

Courts of Inquiry are now sitting to consider these accidents and in the circumstances I am sure that my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that it is not possible for me to make a statement. As soon, however, as the proceedings of the Courts of Inquiry have been received in the Air Ministry, a full statement will be made to the House. I should like, however, to take this opportunity of expressing publicly my Noble Friend's and my own deep sympathy with the relatives of those who have lost their lives.

Captain BALFOUR

Will the right hon. Baronet give the House an assurance that the answers to those questions which I have put to him, and which he is unable to answer at the present time, will be embodied in the report which is to be given to this House in due course?

Sir P. SASSOON

It will be a full statement.

Captain BALFOUR

But may I ask whether the full statement will include specific replies to these specific questions?

Sir P. SASSOON

I do not think I can say anything further at the present moment, or while the Court of Inquiry is still sitting.

Captain BALFOUR

May I press the right hon. Gentleman to say whether the full report will give specific replies to these specific questions, which I am quite content to leave unanswered at the present time in view of the fact that the Court of Inquiry is sitting? May I ask that the House should have an assurance that these specific questions will be answered in the full report?

Sir P. SASSOON

I hope that the statement will be satisfactory.

Captain BALFOUR

In view of the very grave and unsatisfactory nature of the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, I am reluctantly forced to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.