§ 2. Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what reports he has received 642 regarding the inquiry and official examination of the aircraft in which the late Mr. Dag Hammarskjöld was flying.
§ The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Duncan Sandys)We have received a number of reports on the progress of the Investigation Board set up by the Government of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The latest and most comprehensive report was published on the 18th October; and I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyAs this matter has received world-wide publicity, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend will undertake now to deny the criminal and wicked allegations made in some parts of the Commonwealth and elsewhere that this aircraft was shot down? The sooner this is made public and the good name of our citizens in Rhodesia cleared, the better. What has been said against them is absolutely criminal.
§ Mr. SandysUnfortunately, a number of very wild and extremely irresponsible statements and allegations have been made about this very unfortunate accident, which we all mourn. All I can say, and I cannot go beyond the reports that have been published, is that as far as I know not one single scrap of evidence has been produced to suggest that there was foul play of any kind, or improper action, or anything other than a normal accident.
§ Following is the Report: