§ 24. Sir Ralph Glynasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will publish the findings of courts of inquiry into accidents to aircraft of R.A.F. Transport Command where casualties have resulted to officers of the Navy and Army or to civilians on flights outside active operational theatres of war.
§ Sir A. SinclairI shall always give the House as much information as I can about accidents to R.A.F. aircraft, but it would be contrary to long-standing custom, and would not be in the public interest, to disclose the findings of courts of inquiry, which are privileged. The foreknowledge that they might be published would impose a restraint upon both court and witnesses, whereas it is essential that all concerned should speak freely, and if need be criticise fearlessly, without regard to rank or person.
§ Sir R. GlynCan my right hon. Friend inform the House whether, if it appears in the Press that certain types of aircraft which will be used for civil aviation have been involved, such statements will be corrected to show there is no fault in the construction of the type of machine concerned?
§ Sir A. SinclairI shall be most anxious to give to the House, on my own responsibility, all possible information about accidents to R.A.F. aircraft.
§ Earl WintertonWill the right hon. Gentleman have regard to the constitutional difficulties which might arise if he refuses the request of this House to publish the report of the court of inquiry concerning the death of two hon. Members?
§ Sir A. SinclairThat is another question. I am asked here about accidents to Transport Command aircraft, and the accident to which my Noble Friend refers has nothing whatever to do with Transport Command.
§ Mr. Moelwyn HughesCan the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the machines used by Transport Command are given all those facilities to make flying safe that are provided for operational needs?
Vice-Admiral TaylorIs it not a fact that all Service courts of inquiry and their findings are confidential?
§ Sir A. SinclairYes, Sir.
§ 30. Mr. Edgar Granvilleasked the Secretary of State for Air if he has any statement to make on the recent air accident in which British officers and officials lost their lives on their way to the conference between the Prime Minister, President Roosevelt and Marshal Stalin; whether the B.O.A.C. or the R.A.F. is responsible for the arrangements for these flights; and whether it is his intention to hold a special inquiry on the causes and circumstances of this loss.
§ Sir A. SinclairI deeply regret the loss of life caused by this accident. The aircraft was a York belonging to the Royal Air Force. It was of standard design and fitted with standard equipment. The Royal Air Force pilot and crew were highly experienced. The aircraft was obliged to come down in the sea. A court of inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident is now sitting. As regards the second part of the Question, flights of this kind are carried out either by aircraft of the Royal Air Force or aircraft of the British Overseas Airways Corporation depending on the availability of aircraft and the route flown.
§ Mr. GranvilleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of serious concern in the public mind at these accidents; and in view of the fact that this might have happened to any of the aircraft engaged on this flight, can he give us an assurance that all the machines engaged in the Prime Minister's flight were given adequate mechanical supervision and inspection right throughout the journey?
§ Sir A. SinclairReally I cannot give an assurance about "right throughout the journey." I can give an assurance that the maintenance arrangements of Transport Command are highly efficient, and I shall be very glad indeed to give the fullest possible information when my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) raises this Question on Thursday.
§ Earl WintertonWill the right hon. Gentleman look into the allegations which have been made, in private, in many quarters, that on this exceptionally difficult flying route the types of machines used are not suitable for the appalling storms and electrical disturbances which constantly arise?
§ Sir A. SinclairCertainly, I will very gladly give my attention to the point which my Noble Friend has raised. At the same time, if he wishes my opinion, from my personal knowledge so far as it goes, I think that this machine was entirely suitable for the route on which it was flying, and that machines of this type have been flying on routes to the East with great success and with a very low rate of accident for some long time.
§ Mr. A. BevanAre any other Departments associated with the right hon. Gentleman's Department in this court of inquiry? Otherwise, will it not be the fact that the Air Ministry will be inquiring into the behaviour of the Air Ministry and coming to the conclusion that there is nothing wrong with the Air Ministry?
§ Sir A. SinclairThere is no Department in the State which has such a tremendous incentive to maintain a low rate of accident, and to improve it by every possible means.
§ Mr. A. BevanMay I have an answer to my question? Is it intended to associate any other Department of State with the court of inquiry into this accident?
§ Sir A. SinclairNo, Sir. The court of inquiry is now sitting. A most thorough and searching inquiry will be made and no Department, as I have said, has a greater interest in obtaining the facts than the Air Ministry.
§ Mr. BellengerWill my right hon. Friend take steps to inquire particularly as to a statement which has been made in various quarters that this plane came down into the sea, owing to a shortage of petrol; and in view of a somewhat similar statement which has been made in connection with another accident, will he carefully inquire into this matter?
§ Sir A. SinclairLet me put my hon. Friend's mind at rest on one point. I do know that for the flight that was planned for that aircraft, there was a wide and ample margin of petrol supplied, but certainly that is a point which will emerge in the course of the inquiry.
§ Squadron-Leader Sir Gifford FoxMay I ask whether inquiries will be made whether some of these accidents are not due to the fact that the importance of the journey is so very urgent, that these trips are undertaken where, ordinarily, they might not be undertaken in view of the weather conditions prevailing?
§ Sir A. SinclairAn inquiry will be made into each specific accident. It is very difficult for me to answer questions referring in general terms to these accidents. I think I ought to tell the House now that in the month of January—because Transport Command deserves and requires the confidence of the House in carrying out its duties—Transport Command flew 4,000,000 miles without a single accident involving death or injury to a passenger.
§ Mr. GranvilleMay I ask the Secretary of State, in view of the fact that he now has a number of these inquiries on his hands and that we shall only get half an hour on the Adjournment to-morrow, whether he will make representations to get a full day's Debate on this? In any event, will he see that a statement is made to the House of Commons when he has expedited the findings of these inquiries?
§ Sir A. SinclairI have always stated that I am most anxious to give the information to this House. This Command needs the strength which the confidence this House can give it and I regard it as my responsibility to give this House the necessary information.