§ 59. Mr. Royleasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, when all the inquiries into the Munich air disaster are completed, he will make a further statement.
§ 65. Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the cause of the accident to the Elizabethan aircraft of British European Airways at Munich on Thursday. 6th February.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI cannot make a statement until I have received the report of the German authorities.
§ Mr. RoyleMay I say that there is no intention to embarrass anybody with this Question? In view of the fact that the German authorities will issue no report and that B.E.A. will not issue a report of its private inquiries, will the right hon. Gentleman agree that it would relieve a lot of anxiety, particularly in my part of the country, if a statement could be made?
§ Mr. WatkinsonPerhaps it would help if I said what I think will happen, although the House will appreciate that this is the responsibility of the German Government and not my responsibility. I have seconded a senior inspector of accidents to be an observer at the German commission of inquiry. I assume, I think rightly, that the report of that commission will be submitted to me—that I shall be given a copy of it. I will then, in consultation with the German authorities, certainly consider 422 the question of publishing it. I am most anxious that the fullest information about this accident should be made public.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyWill my right hon. Friend inform the House when he expects to receive a report from the German authorities?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am in the hands of the German authorities, and their inquiries are very painstaking and detailed. But they know my wish is that it should be done as soon as they can conveniently do so.