§ 22. Mr. Bennasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will institute a full inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash of the Hermes aircraft off Sicily in August, 1952.
§ Mr. ProfumoNo, Sir. A thorough investigation was made by the Italian authorities and my right hon. Friend does not consider any further light would be thrown on the cause of the accident by a separate United Kingdom inquiry.
§ Mr. BennIs the hon. Gentleman aware that four very young children were drowned in this crash; that the dinghies for children could not be found; that no safety instructions were given to the passengers on this aircraft and that the equipment itself was defective? Is he further aware that the Italian report was very critical of the company and the crew, and is it not appropriate that the report should be either published or duplicated in England?
§ Mr. ProfumoI have nothing to add to my answer. I have already acquainted the hon. Gentleman with everything I was able to tell him about the report, and there is another Question on the Order Paper about the matter.
§ Mr. BeswickAre we to understand that the report has not been published in England?
§ Mr. ProfumoThe report has not been published in England.
§ Mr. BeswickWhy not?
§ Mr. BennIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise the matter on the Adjournment.