20. Mr. EmrysHughes asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if an inquiry was made into the recent crash of the Dutch air liner near Prestwick; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
§ Mr. LindgrenAn inquiry into the Dutch Constellation crash near Prestwick on 21st October was begun on the morning of the accident by inspectors of the Ministry of Civil Aviation Accidents Investigation Branch. An accredited representative of the Dutch Government co-operated. My noble Friend has ordered a formal court investigation, which will take place in Scotland as soon as the necessary arrangements have been made. Until the Report of this court has been submitted, no further statement can be made concerning the circumstances of the accident.
Mr. HughesCould my hon. Friend tell us how long this inquiry will last, and whether, without prejudice to the Report, there is not already evidence to absolve the ground staff from all responsibility?
§ Mr. LindgrenI would rather not make any observation. If a court of investigation is set up, it is far better that it should consider the evidence, and then give an opinion. As far as the length of the inquiry is concerned, that depends very much on our legal friends, whose investigations are often rather protracted. But I am not the one to criticise them for that, because we want these investigations to be full and factual.