HC Deb 18 February 1959 vol 600 cc371-3
The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

With permission, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a statement.

I feel that the House would wish me to say a few words to express our deep regret at the accident which took place last night involving the Turkish Prime Minister and his party. There was serious loss of life, the dead including one Minister, Mr. Somuncuoglu, Minister of Broadcasting and Television, a former Minister, Mr. Zeytinoglu, and the Prime Minister's Principal Private Secretary, Mr. Ersu. Happily, Mr. Menderes survived without serious injury although he must clearly have been subjected to severe shock.

It is particularly sad that this tragedy should have fallen upon the Turkish Prime Minister and his companions while on a mission of peace and reconciliation. As a mark of respect for the dead, no formal meetings of the Cyprus Conference are being held today.

I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation will be following this with a statement about the accident. Meanwhile, I feel sure that the whole House will wish to express its sympathy with the Turkish Prime Minister, Government and people.

Mr. Gaitskell

I should like to say, on behalf of my right hon. and hon. Friends, how much we desire to associate ourselves with what the Prime Minister has said about this tragic episode.

The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Harold Watkinson)

I should like to associate myself with what my right hon. Friend has said about this tragic accident. The circumstances, so far as they are known, are as follows.

The aircraft involved was a Viscount aircraft of Turkish National Airlines and the crash took place at Jordan's Wood, about 3 miles west of Gatwick, shortly before 5 p.m. yesterday afternoon, when the aircraft was approaching to land at the airport.

The aircraft was making use of the standard Instrument Landing System at the time and at a distance of about 4½ miles from the airport the pilot had reported that he was located on the I.L.S. At this point, the aircraft might have been expected to be flying at above 1,000 feet.

The weather at the airport at the time of the accident was quite good, with a horizontal visibility of about I nautical mile and one-eighth cloud at 800 feet. After the accident seven other aircraft made normal approaches and landings at the airport using I.L.S.

The Chief Inspector of Accidents is investigating the cause of the accident and has had a team on the site since yesterday evening.

I am sure, as my right hon. Friend has said, that the House will wish to join in expressing its deep sympathy with all those who have been injured or bereaved by this tragic accident, and its appreciation of the services of all of those who participated in the work of rescuing and helping those who survived.

Mr. Doughty

Does the Minister agree or disagree with statements in the Press that, at the time of the accident, the aircraft was, in fact, on G.C.A.?

Mr. Watkinson

I understand that the aircraft was not under ground control, but that, of course, will no doubt be brought out during the inquiry.

Mr. Beswick

The Minister said that the Chief Inspector of Accidents is making an investigation. Are we to take it that there will be a formal inquiry following that investigation?

Mr. Watkinson

I understand that the Turkish Government have sent a message to say that they wish that there should be a full inquiry and that they should be associated with it. I am sure, therefore, that the hon. Gentleman will understand that I must consult them before I take a final decision; but, of course, the investigation on the site is going on.

Mr. Gough

May I say that I was on the site this morning and ask my right hon. Friend to confirm what I understand was the case, namely, that the local services, notably the Crawley Fire Brigade, appeared on the scene with commendable alacrity? Does not my right hon. Friend agree that that alacrity may well have saved this disaster from being much worse?

Mr. Watkinson

Yes, I think that that is certainly so. As I said, I feel that we should be very grateful to all those who went to the scene and did very notable work.