§ 27. Mr. Edgar Granvilleasked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the public concern at the increasing losses in senior officers, members of R.A.F. crews, and individuals playing an important part in the war effort, through air accidents; and whether it is his intention to undertake the fullest inquiry into the causes.
§ Sir A. SinclairI deeply regret loss of life through air accidents. Every accident is fully investigated, and prompt action taken where necessary. The Chief Inspector of Accidents is available for consultation, and in cases exhibiting unusual features he is associated with the investigation; if he thinks fit in any particular case, he may conduct an independent inquiry. A special Air Ministry Directorate is responsible for examining reports on accidents and bringing to the notice of the Service any remedial measures that may be required. Flying in war time involves certain hazards inseparable from war conditions, but the House will be glad to know that the accident rate of the Royal Air Force has been steadily falling for some time.
§ Mr. GranvilleAre the machines which are used on these flights sufficiently heavy to deal with bad weather, and are they equipped with radio? Who is responsible for the arrangements for these particular flights? Also, might I ask whether there is any more information which can be given to the House in regard to the machine missing in Italy recently?
§ Sir A. SinclairIn reply to the last part of the question, I regret to say that I have no further information, although I am in close touch with the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief about it. The machine has not yet been found. On the first point, no accidents have been specified in the question. If my hon. Friend will tell me to which accidents he refers, I will give him the answer about the aircraft.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the standard of maintenance of aircraft by ground crews has not deteriorated?
§ Sir A. SinclairYes, Sir; I think it is quite clear from the fact that the accident rate is going down that the standard of maintenance by the ground crews is very high.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallIs it possible for the Air Ministry to warn pilots that there is nothing to be ashamed of if they avoid a weather risk?
§ Sir A. SinclairI entirely agree with my hon. Friend, and I can assure him that pilots are fully aware of that.
§ Mr. GranvilleIs radio equipment used on these machines, and are sufficiently heavy machines used to deal with bad weather?
§ Sir A. SinclairIn so far as it is possible to give an answer to so general a question, the answer is certainly, "Yes, Sir."
§ Captain McEwenIs it not, on the whole, a matter of surprise to my right hon. Friend that there have not been more accidents?
§ Sir A. SinclairNo, Sir; because I am fully aware of the immense efforts that are made to avoid accidents and to reduce the accident rate—efforts which have been successful in a substantial degree.
§ Sir W. WakefieldWill my right hon. Friend consider reverting to the peace-time practice of publishing information about accidents which occur, not in operations, and to give full publicity to those accidents now that the security consideration no longer exists?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe need for security is still very great.