HC Deb 20 November 1946 vol 430 cc839-40
34. Mr. John E. Haire

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the number of British civil aircraft engaged and the total mileage flown during the past six months without accident; the number of British civil aircraft involved in accidents and the number of casualties resulting during the same period.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. Lindgren)

As the answer is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite

In view of the episode yesterday, which might have ended in tragedy, and taken from our midst one of His Majesty's Ministers, could the hon. Gentleman assure us that greater precautions will be taken when carrying "V.I.P.s," if only to prevent grief and mourning among members of the friendly societies?

Following is the reply:

In the six months ending 30th September, 1946, the average number of British civil aircraft engaged on regular services flown by United Kingdom operators was 260, the total aircraft mileage was 17,227,000, and eight aircraft were involved in accidents notifiable under the Air Navigation Regulations. Of these accidents, five involved serious casualties, totalling 29 passengers killed, no passengers seriously injured, 12 crew killed, two crew seriously injured. The total mileage flown without an accident of any kind was 17,223,000.

In the same period the average number of British civil aircraft, other than those operated by regular operators, was approximately 300. No statistics are available of the number actually flying during the period or of the mileage flown. Of these aircraft nine met with notifiable accidents, of which four involved serious casualties to occupants totalling two killed and four seriously injured.

The foregoing figures do not cover training and other non-service flying by regular airline operators nor experimental and manufacturers' test flying. My hon. Friend will, of course, appreciate that a six months' period gives no reliable picture of the trend of accidents. My noble Friend has recently issued statistics for 1925, and I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.

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