HC Deb 05 February 1953 vol 510 cc2030-2
Mr. Beswick

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now make a statement about the York aircraft missing on a flight over the North Atlantic since last Monday, and the nature of the contract with his Department which calls for the use of this type of aircraft over the North Atlantic.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)

Yes, Sir. This aircraft which was carrying soldiers and Army families from this country to Jamaica was reported missing between the Azores and Gander. I very much regret to report that all hope of survivors has been abandoned and I am sure that the House will wish to express deep sympathy with the relatives of those on board.

The aircraft was engaged on a normal trooping flight under a two-year contract arranged by the Air Ministry with the civil operators under which passengers are being carried between the United Kingdom and the West Indies.

Inquiries into the accident are in progress and hon. Members will appreciate that I cannot make a fuller statement at present.

Mr. Beswick

I am sure that right lion. and hon. Gentlemen on this side of the House will wish to associate themselves with that expression of sympathy, which will be no less deep because the number of lives lost were fewer than in the national tragedy at the beginning of the week. But their interest and sympathy will be all the greater if there is any question that this tragedy was unnecessary. I would ask the Secretary of State for War whether, before awarding this contract, the Ministry of Civil Aviation or the British Overseas Airways Corporation were asked whether this type of aircraft was a suitable type for operating over that route.

Mr. Head

I have been into that matter. York aircraft have been operating over this route for some time. Furthermore, as the hon. Gentleman no doubt knows, every civil airline operator has to have a certificate from the Ministry of Civil Aviation before he can operate a line or charter of this kind. The Air Ministry itself also goes into the question of contracts and satisfies itself that they are satisfactory.

Finally, I should say that since air trooping was started on a large scale in 1951 we have carried over 100,000 passengers and that this is the first fatality we have had.

Mr. Shackleton

Can the Minister tell the House a little more about the particular aircraft that were used on this flight? A number of aircraft were sold off cheaply, as obsolescent, by B.O.A.C. some time ago. Was this aircraft one of those which B.O.A.C. considered to be unsuitable for this route?

Mr. Head

An inquiry is now proceeding. I am not an expert on these matters and I think it would be unwise for me to attempt to answer that question.

Air Commodore Harvey

Would my right hon. Friend say whether these flights are to continue? Furthermore, without pre-judging the inquiry, will he make a special point of looking into the question of operating over the Atlantic route aircraft which are not pressurised?

Mr. Head

If there is any suggestion, as a result of the inquiry, that it would be unwise, or would be taking any chances to continue this service, it would, of course, be discontinued.

Mr. Beswick

That reply is not good enough. Are we to understand from the Secretary of State for War that pending the completion of this inquiry these aircraft will continue to operate over this route? Are these aircraft pressurised? If they are not, what oxygen arrangements were available for the 13 children who were sent over on this last trip?

Secondly, will the Secretary of State for War tell the House whether this aircraft was satisfactorily modified with de-icing equipment after it was bought secondhand and before it started on this charter operation?

Mr. Head

All these matters will be gone into at the inquiry. I have no doubt that these questions were considered before the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued the licence for the operation of the aircraft.

Mr. Wigg

Is the Minister aware that the House is concerned, not about the findings of the inquiry, but what happens between now and that time? We want an assurance that nobody's life will be put in jeopardy merely to save the taxpayers' money.

Mr. Head

I can give that assurance.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Morrison.

Mr. Beswick

On a point of order. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman what his last reply means?

Mr. Speaker

I have allowed the hon. Member to ask a number of supplementary questions on this matter. There is to be an inquiry.

Mr. Beswick

In view of the fact that we still have not an assurance that this type of aircraft is not going to operate pending the completion of the inquiry. I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.