§ 7. Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the withdrawal from service of the Boeing 707 jets by the British Overseas Airways Corporation because of tail cracks.
§ Mr. MulleyDuring inspection of the wreckage of the B.O.A.C. 707 which crashed in Japan, on 5th March, a small crack due to fatigue was found in part of the vertical tail fin attachment. As a precaution, B.O.A.C., in common with other operators of Boeing 707 aircraft, have been required to examine their aircraft for similar cracks. All B.O.A.C. 707s have now been examined and are back in service. The Air Registration Board, which has kept closely in touch with B.O.A.C., with the Federal Aviation Agency in the United States and with Boeing, is satisfied that this aircraft type is completely airworthy.
§ Mr. LewisCan the Minister say what the cost of this was to B.O.A.C. and whether any other cracks were found on the other aircraft examined? Second, does not he agree that, if this had happened to the Super VC10, the adverse publicity in the United States would have been greater than the adverse publicity attending this incident involving the Boeing 707?
§ Mr. MulleyI have no responsibility for publicity. Without notice, I cannot give the actual cost, which, of course, is a matter for the company. I should want notice also to give the exact number of aircraft in which cracks were found, though I think that it was six.