HC Deb 12 November 1958 vol 595 cc367-8
3. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he proposes to hold an inquiry into the cause of the crash of a Viking aircraft at Southall on 2nd September last.

Mr. Watkinson

My Chief Inspector of Accidents is continuing his investigations into the cause of the Viking aircraft accident at Southall on 2nd September last and a public inquiry will be held as soon as possible. I understand that the adjourned coroner's inquest will shortly be resumed, probably within a fortnight.

Mr. Rankin

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this disaster has caused a great deal of disquiet and that an unduly long period seems to have elapsed between its occurrence and the holding of the inquiry? Can he say that matters will be speeded up as much as possible.

Mr. Watkinson

I do not disagree that it must seem a long time, particularly to those involved, but my Chief Inspector has not finished his technical investigation, and, therefore, the public inquiry cannot be held until it is finished. I think it also wise to get any other matters out of the way, and that is why, I understand, the coroner's inquest will be shortly resumed.

Mr. N. Nicolson

If there is any question of referring this matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions, would not it be better to hold the official inquiry first in order to establish whether there is a prima facie case to go before the courts? Would my right hon. Friend undertake to make available to the charter company concerned all the evidence, including the recordings of the messages that passed between the pilot and the ground control immediately before the crash?

Mr. Watkinson

In regard to the first point, I think that my hon. Friend rather misunderstands the purpose of a court of inquiry. It is to inquire into the technical and engineering details of the crash in order that we may learn lessons for the future. It is not primarily to establish the legal guilt or responsibility of the parties concerned. As to the second matter, I understand that information has been given to the company on the lines that my hon. Friend mentioned.