HC Deb 05 March 1952 vol 497 cc425-6
44. Mr. James Callaghan

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many Attacker aircraft have crashed recently; and if the causes have been established.

The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. J. P. L. Thomas)

I regret that it would be contrary to long established policy to give the information for which the hon Member asks.

Mr. Callaghan

If we take the trouble to go through the newspapers we shall be able to add them up ourselves. Cannot the right hon. Gentleman save us a little trouble by doing it for us? As the newspapers have published that an Attacker class of aircraft had crashed recently, will he consider issuing a statement whether there are any related causes which connect these crashes one with another?

Mr. Thomas

I do not think that information can necessarily be obtained from the newspapers. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there is no undue cause for alarm, in view of the number of flying hours, and every accident is very carefully investigated. If the hon. Gentleman would like to talk to me on the subject I should be happy to see him.