HC Deb 21 July 1965 vol 716 cc1574-6
Mr. Heffer

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement about the air crash in the proximity of Speke Airport, Liverpool, yesterday and would he institute an inquiry into the matter.

The Minister of Aviation (Mr. Roy Jenkins)

Yes, Sir. A Viscount belonging to Cambrian Airways, flying from the Isle of Man, crashed into a factory near Liverpool Airport yesterday evening at 6.18 while approaching the aerodrome.

No passengers were being carried, but two women working in the factory were killed, as were the two crew.

I am sure that the House will wish to offer their condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

A team from my Accidents Investigation Branch arrived in Liverpool early this morning and is conducting a full investigation.

Mr. Heffer

May I add my sympathy and that of all hon. Members to that already expressed with the relatives of those who lost their lives? Would my right hon. Friend ensure that the inquiry takes note of the safety of people employed in factories surrounding the airport and those living in its vicinity? Is it not important, in view of the proposed extensions at the airport, to see that any defects are eliminated at this stage before the build-up of the airport takes place?

Mr. Jenkins

I will certainly consider that when I receive the report of the inquiry. The factory into which the plane crashed is 1,100 ft. from the extended centre line of the runway, but that will not exclude taking into account safety considerations relating to that and other buildings.

Mr. Tilney

In the enforced absence of my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Bingham), in whose constituency this regrettable accident took place and one of whose constituents perished, may I, on behalf of all those in Garston and Wavertree and the whole of Liverpool and this side of the House, express sympathy with those who are bereaved?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the weather conditions were such that it was difficult to approach the airport? Was the factory chimney, which, I understand, might have been touched by the wing of the aeroplane, lighted up, and, if not, can action be taken so to light it up, as is done in experiments taking place in Glamorgan? Will the right hon. Gentleman see that in bad weather conditions it is lighted up?

Mr. Jenkins

As the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, these are matters to be taken into account in the investigation and I would not wish to prejudge them. The information at the moment is that it was the factory roof and not the chimney which the aircraft hit, that the aircraft dived and then hit the factory rather than that it hit something and then dived.

Mr. Marten

May I add my sympathy to that expressed with those who have been bereaved and ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is any possibility of providing an interim report on this accident? Accident reports sometimes take a very long time—they are very carefully prepared. Might it not be possible to have an interim report to satisfy public opinion while the final technicalities go on over the months after that?

Mr. Jenkins

I will certainly consider that. It has also to be considered, in all these cases when an interim report is received, whether a public inquiry is desirable.