HC Deb 21 October 1946 vol 427 cc1294-5
29. Wing-Commander Millington

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has any statement to make on the accident to the DH108 aircraft involving the death of Mr. Geoffrey de Havilland; and whether he has ordered the grounding of this type of aircraft, pending the findings of the investigating committee.

Mr. Wilmot

I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my sympathy— and I am sure that of the House, also— with the relatives and colleagues of Mr. Geoffrey de Havilland, who lost his life in this accident. The results of the investigation into the causes are not yet available, but there are no grounds for supposing that the accident was caused by engine failure. In the meantime, the De Havilland Company propose to continue their flight trials at low speeds with another aircraft of this type, which will be ready shortly. The Company and my technical advisers are satisfied that no unusual risks are involved in these low speed trials.

Wing-Commander Millington

Is it not possible for experiments into transonic supersonic speeds to be carried out by aircraft controlled by radio, and not by human pilots, particularly in view of the fact that there is a fear in some minds that the death of Mr. Geoffrey de Havilland was caused through approaching these speeds, and that we do not yet have sufficient knowledge of the physics of these speeds?

Air - Commodore Harvey

Will the Minister consider publishing the findings of this committee as soon as possible, in the interests of other firms?

Mr. Wilmot

These questions axe of a very technical nature, and I should like to have notice of them.