§ The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. John Moore)I am sorry to have to inform the House that at approximately 11.30 today, a Chinook helicopter belonging to British International Helicopters crashed into the sea approximately two miles east of Sumburgh in Shetland. The helicopter was inbound from the Brent field to Sumburgh with 47 people on board—three crew and 44 passengers. A coastguard helicopter which happened to be lifting off from Sumburgh airport at the time was at the scene of the accident almost immediately and recovered two survivors. The survivors were flown to Lerwick for treatment. A number of surface vessels, including the local lifeboat and helicopters, are now at the scene of the accident. No further survivors have so far been found. Eighteen bodies have been recovered. There will be a full investigation by my chief inspector of accidents. A team of investigators has already left for the scene of the accident, as has my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State who is responsible for aviation.
I know the House will join me in expressing its condolences to the bereaved and in commending the rescue services for their prompt action.
§ Mr. Peter Snape (West Bromwich, East)Will the right hon. Gentleman accept the wish of the House to be associated with his condolences for the bereaved as a result of this appalling tragedy? I wish to be associated with his commendation of the rescue services. Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that accidents of this kind remind us that we still pay a high price in human terms for the successful exploitation of our North sea oil reserves?
Was any distress signal from the helicopter seen before the accident? Finally, will the right hon. Gentleman accept and pass on the sympathy of the House to those still awaiting news of people missing in this tragic accident?
§ Mr. MooreI appreciate the hon. Gentleman's first and last points. I know the House shares his sentiments. The hon. Gentleman is right to pay tribute to those whose tenacity, courage and ingenuity have won for our nation such resources from the seas at such clear human cost. We owe them all a debt.
From the information which I have received, no warning signal was given.
§ Mr. David Howell (Guildford)I also wish to be associated with the condolences to the bereaved which have been expressed at this horrific accident. I have travelled in a Chinook helicopter to the North sea rigs a good many times. I would appreciate any more information at this early stage about what exactly happened. My right hon. Friend will be aware that people in these usually safe vehicles wear wetsuits. If the helicopter has to ditch into the sea the passengers can usually survive for some considerable time. The appalling tragedy of the number of deaths in this case suggests that something very much worse happened — perhaps an explosion before the helicopter hit the water. Have there been any reports from witnesses at the scene?
§ Mr. MooreI recognise what my right hon. Friend has to say and the experiences he gained during his time at the Energy Department, as I gained during my days there.
1100 I have come to the House with all the information that I have at the moment. There was in fact—coincidentally — a coastguard helicopter which had lifted off from Sumburgh and which was at the scene almost instandtly.
§ Mr. Malcolm Bruce (Gordon)I thank the Secretary of State for coming to the House so promptly to make a statement on what is an appalling catastrophe that many of us had feared might happen but hoped would not. Will he also accept our condolences from this Bench? I have spoken by telephone to my hon. Friend the Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Wallace), in whose constituency this accident occurred. He is unable to be here due to a constituency engagement but was anxious to express his sympathies and condolences at this tragedy.
I have been advised that the helicopter was seen to fall out of the sky from a height of 500 ft and it broke on impact with the water. The bodies which have been removed from the water were wearing lifejackets, but these had not been inflated, indicating that there was no warning and that no distress signal was issued.
Will the Minister, to assure the many people who fly regularly, confirm that we will get a quick inquiry into the accident and a quick declaration of the cause? Is he prepared, if necessary, to ground other Chinooks? Regrettably, this is not the first time that such an incident has occurred to a Chinook. I am sure we will appreciate that there is concern among those who, as has been said, must fly to their work tomorrow. If the Minister can give that assurance, the House and the families concerned will be grateful.
§ Mr. MooreI welcome the expression of condolences from the hon. Member who represents that part of the world. I have said as much as I can at this stage about the complete absence of warning. By coincidence, a coastguard helicopter was on the spot almost instantly. I cannot go into any more detail. The great benefit of the statutory and independent role of the chief inspector in my Department in instances such as these is that any information which calls for a change in conditions or safety arrangements can be recommended to the Civil Aviation Authority immediately, and even before the investigation is over. We ought to control any suggestions about safety until we have learnt a little more about the incident.
§ Mr. John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood)I also express my condolences. If the accident investigation branch of my right hon. Friend's Department requires additional resources, will my right hon. Friend call in the Royal Air Force directorate of flight safety, which has considerable operational experience of the military version of the aircraft?
§ Mr. MooreMy hon. Friend is right. If there is a need for additional resources, we will do that. Co-operation between the military and my Department is very close on these matters. As far as I can see, there is no need for additional resources at this stage, but proper investigation of the incident will not be impeded by a lack of resources.
§ Mr. Donald Stewart (Western Isles)May I associate myself and my hon. Friend the Member for Dundee, East (Mr. Wilson) with the sympathy that has been expressed? Does the Secretary of State agree that, in spite of this sad accident, we should keep in mind the splendid record of these machines on errands of mercy and life saving generally during the past few years?
§ Mr. MooreI very much welcome the right hon. Gentleman's comments. I also want to be associated with his comments about the tremendous work that is done around our shores. I recognise the great safety record that we have so far enjoyed. We shall want to investigate this incident further.
§ Mr. David Harris (St. Ives)As, until today's appalling tragedy, the worst helicopter crash occurred in the Isles of Scilly, which are in my constituency, may I be associated with my right hon. Friend's expression of condolences? Although it seems from first reports that the circumstances of the two crashes are quite different and involve a different type of helicopter, will my right hon. Friend tell me, perhaps in writing, whether all the recommendations of the inquiry into the Isles of Scilly crash have been carried out?
§ Mr. MooreI shall give my hon. Friend a precise answer and ensure that the information is given to the House. As a result of the Scilly Isles crash, the CAA had to improve standards and conditions for helicopter flying. If the present investigation makes further recommendations, the CAA will be advised and I trust that it will insist on the implementation of any new conditions.
§ Mr. Dick Douglas (Dunfermline, West)Will the Secretary of State accept that, especially in Scottish Labour minds, this is a severe tragedy? In view of the record of oil companies— Shell is involved here— and the helicopter company and bearing in mind the remoteness of the Shetlands, can the right hon. Gentleman give us some idea of the facilities that have been offered to the next of kin to enable them to get to Sumburgh to alleviate some of the grief? Does he agree that the number of people who have apparently been killed is high, bearing in mind the safety provisions involved in such operations? Is that not most disturbing? Although we want an expeditious inquiry, we want a thorough inquiry into the nature and background of the Chinook and the relevant safety requirements.
§ Mr. MooreI can give the hon. Gentleman the assurance for which he asks. There is no question but that this must be a most thorough investigation by my chief 1102 inspector in the accident investigation branch. I should like to consider the hon. Gentleman's quite legitimate point about remoteness. We are aware of the difficulty of the distances involved. We must concern ourselves with the bereaved. I shall consider that matter with as much sympathy as I can.
§ Mr. David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells)If this tragic accident is found to be the result of a mechanical malfunction, does it not call into question the apparent preference of the British Army for Chinook helicopters rather than smaller British made helicopters as a means of transporting troops? Will my right hon. Friend ensure that the investigation includes Ministry of Defence personnel and that the results of it are fully disclosed?
§ Mr. MooreI think it quite inappropriate for me to draw any further conclusions than the ones that I have already drawn with the information that I have now.
§ Mr. Robert Maclennan (Caithness and Sutherland)I associate myself and my right hon. and hon. Friends with the expressions of sadness that we all feel at this appalling tragedy.
Although the right hon. Gentleman is right not to speculate about the causes of the accident, is he aware that those of us who have constituents who travel daily on such transport will want to know the inquiry's findings as soon as possible to end any possible speculation?
§ Mr. MooreI fully understand the hon. Gentleman's point. I also understand the nature of activity in his constituency, having visited Dounreay. I shall make every effort to ensure that the House receives every possible piece of information. The most important thing is to ensure that there is a thorough investigation and to act upon its findings. We must do that first.
§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson (Newbury)I also express my condolences. Does my right hon. Friend know whether the helicopter was carrying a flight recorder or a cockpit voice recorder?
§ Mr. MooreI am sorry, but I cannot answer that question now. I shall let my hon. Friend and the rest of the House know the answer through a letter placed in the Library.