HC Deb 04 May 1953 vol 515 cc31-2
Mr. Langford-Holt

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement on the loss of the Comet aircraft flying between Calcutta and New Delhi.

The Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr. Alan Lennox-Boyd)

As the House will know, a Comet airliner of British Overseas Airways Corporation crashed on Saturday afternoon shortly after taking off from Calcutta. All on board—37 passengers and six crew—lost their lives. This is the first British Overseas Airways Corporation accident involving loss of life to passengers since July, 1948.

The aircraft was on a scheduled flight from Singapore to London. According to information so far received, it was flying at well below 10,000 ft. when the accident occurred. An Inspector of Accidents from my Ministry left early yesterday morning and another has left today. Representatives of De Havillands have also gone to India and officers from the Corporation's staff in Calcutta are on the scene. British Overseas Airways Corporation's Comet services on all routes are continuing to operate.

I express the deep sympathy of Her Majesty's Government—and I am sure of the whole House—to the relatives and friends of those who have lost their lives in this disaster.

Mr. Langford-Holt

While associating myself—and I am sure the whole House —with that expression of sympathy, may I ask my right hon. Friend if he can say whether it is intended to hold an inquiry? If it is so intended, would he please impress on those holding the inquiry the desirability of haste in this matter, as delay would only be a disservice to the country, the manufacturers and the public in general?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am sure that that will be clearly borne in mind. Responsibility for investigating this accident, rests, of course, in the first place with India as the State of occurrence.

Mr. Beswick

While associating myself with the Minister's expression of sympathy, may I ask him what information he has about weather conditions at the time?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

All I know at the moment is that the weather was bad, with heavy turbulence, thunder and dust storms. I would rather not be drawn into more detail in advance of the inquiry.