HC Deb 08 May 1957 vol 569 cc974-6
45. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the growing public concern at the number of fatal accidents to transport aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force and by private firms on Air Ministry charter; and whether he will consider appointing a committee drawn from outside the Royal Air Force, the Civil Service and the aviation industry to inquire into the present policy on military air transport and air trooping.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I have been asked to reply.

Since air trooping started in 1951, well over half a million passengers have been carried. In that time, there have been six accidents to aircraft on charter to the Air Ministry which have involved death or injury to passengers. During the same period, both the fatal and the major accident rates in Transport Command have been low.

While my right hon. Friend naturally shares the hon. Member's concern at recent accidents, he does not consider that a committee of inquiry is called for.

Mr. de Freitas

Is it not a fact that it is not only my concern but the concern of the whole country that there has recently been a series of accidents which have been very tragic? In view of the criticisms which have been made in this House and in the country during the last eighteen months, is it not time that the Government really looked at this matter most thoroughly and, if necessary, by means of some independent inquiry?

Mr. Butler

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air intends to deal with air trooping in the debate on the Air Estimates tomorrow, and he looks forward to a full discussion and to obtaining the views of the House on that occasion. That is why I would rather not go further today.

Air Commodore Harvey

Can my right hon. Friend confirm that, at any rate in recent years, in the case of practically all these unfortunate accidents the cause has been known afterwards?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir; there is, of course, the particular inquiry into the recent crash, and I have with me the accounts of all the other incidents which involved death, which, I agree with the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. de Freitas), are a cause of great anxiety, not only to the House but also to Her Majesty's Government. In each case there has been established a definite cause for the accident as a result of the inquiry which has been held.

Mr. Beswiek

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, even though the accident causes have been known in all cases, the causes themselves have given rise to anxiety? Has he been informed that the Airways Corporations are not permitted to do this work, that Transport Command, as a matter of policy, is prevented from doing this work, and that the private companies to whom the Government have turned have themselves said that the terms on which the charters are allocated are not sufficient to enable them to do the work adequately? In those circumstances, as no one is satisfied, is it not time that someone other than the Secretary of State for Air looked into the business?

Mr. Butler

The hon. Gentleman had better listen to the report which my right hon. Friend is to give tomorrow on the question of transport by air, because he realises that this matter is coming to a head.

Mr. Gaitskell

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's replies that the Secretary of State for Air will keep an open mind on the question of a committee of inquiry until after the debate on the Air Estimates?

Mr. Butler

I think that any sensible Minister, in dealing with these Estimates, will keep an open mind. I will certainly speak to my right hon. Friend in that sense.

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