§ 9. Mr. Beswickasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation upon whom was the responsibility for notification of next-of-kin of casualties in the B.E.A.C. aircraft disaster at Berlin; if he is aware that in at least one case no official notification was made until the third day after the accident; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LindgrenResponsibility for notifying the next-of-kin of casualties rested with the British European Airways Corporation. I am informed by the Corporation that action was taken immediately on the day of the accident to notify either the next-of-kin directly or, in a few cases where this seemed the more expedient, through persons closely associated with the next-of-kin. If the hon. Member will be good enough to give me details of the case he has in mind in which official notification was delayed, I shall be happy to ask British European Airways Corporation to look into it.
§ Mr. BeswickI did, in the first place, inform the Department of the particular case, which concerns Mrs. Cough. Will the Minister say to whom notification was made in that case?
§ Mr. LindgrenYes, Sir. My information is that notification in that case was made to the father-in-law at 18.00 hours on the day of the accident.
§ Mr. BeswickNotification ought to have been made to the husband. In view of the great distress caused in this particular case, can the Minister assure the House that he will see that every assistance is given to the relatives?
§ Mr. LindgrenMost certainly, Sir.