§ 17. Mr. Mikardoasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many accidents, including fatal accidents, have taken place to York aircraft during the last five years.
§ Mr. WatkinsonDuring the last five years there have been twelve accidents to United Kingdom registered York aircraft, of which five have involved fatalities.
§ Mr. MikardoMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether or not he thinks the time has come seriously to consider whether the use of this aircraft ought to be allowed any longer? Does not he recollect that this aircraft has had a pretty unhappy history, and that in recent years in particular there has been growing evidence of the fact that the national interest would perhaps best be served if, possibly after giving due notice, we were to withdraw the licence?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThat is quite a proper point to put, but, on the other side, as I think the hon. Gentleman knows, this question of airworthiness is examined as one of the issues that comes out of every accident inquiry. What I have to say is that so far in any of the inquiries which have been held no information has been brought which would necessitate my technical advisers saying to me that the general certificate for this aircraft should be withdrawn.
§ Mr. BeswickIs there any common feature running through all these accidents from which certain conclusions may be drawn?
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, I understand not.