§ 36. Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether the separate inquiry he is conducting into the Vulcan bomber accident at London Airport on 1st October will be made public.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe report of the investigation that I am having made may well be highly technical. I will, however, as soon as I am in a position to do so, make a full statement to the House on its findings. I do not expect my investigator to be able to report for another two or 1740 three weeks, as I am most anxious that a comprehensive technical investigation should be made into all the civil aspects of this accident.
§ Mr. HunterMay I ask the Minister to hurry the report as much as possible? There is great concern amongst the residential population around London Airport and, in addition, it is only fair to the staff at London Airport that the report be properly published.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI quite accept that, but, in answer to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, it is because this matter really must be sifted to the bottom in the interests of everybody that I must not ask Dr. Touch to do other than the most thorough job possible.
§ Mr. BeswickHaving regard to the fact that this concern, of which my hon. Friend the Member for Feltham (Mr. Hunter) so rightly speaks, was especially felt by his own officers employed at London Airport, may I ask whether every opportunity is being given to them, if they so require, to be professionally represented at the inquiry? Further, in view of the fact that there would appear to be some unfortunate conflict of interest between the Minister's Department and the Air Ministry, would he not say that here is a special case for the publication of the full report?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI understand that full opportunity is being given as to representation. What I said was that when I receive Dr. Touch's report I will consider what is the best way to communicate it to the House.