§ 7. Mr. Keelingasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why the pilot of an aircraft operated by Atlas Aviation, Ltd., which fell into the sea on 16th April while carrying passengers from Guernsey, two of whom, with himself, were drowned, was allowed to leave Guernsey without a commercial licence and previously for many months to fly without any licence; why Atlas Aviation had been allowed to operate this aircraft without any maintenance schedule having been approved or proper inspections made; why unauthorised methods of stating time in signals, which caused the expected time of the aircraft's arrival to be misunderstood, were permitted, and whether they are still permitted; why there was no proper traffic control at Lympne; when the report of the Chief Inspector of Accidents, who held an inquiry on 11th and 12th June, will be published; and whether a judicial court of inquiry will be appointed.
§ Mr. LindgrenI would ask the hon. Member to await the Chief Inspector's Report, which will be published shortly. The answer to the last part of the Question is, "No, Sir."
§ 8. Mr. Keelingasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he has received, and will now publish, the views of the National Civil Aviation Consultative Council on the procedure of inquiries into air accidents.
§ Mr. LindgrenThe National Civil Aviation Consultative Council appointed a Committee to consider this matter last August. I am informed that the Committee's Report will be presented to the Council for consideration at its next meeting. I am unable at present to give any undertaking that the Report will be published.