§ 2.34 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT SWINTONMy Lords, I beg to ask the Government whether they can make any statement regarding the recent unhappy loss of the Tudor aircraft, "Star Ariel."
THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (LORD PAKENHAM)My Lords, I much regret to inform the House that we must now presume the loss of the British South American Airways Corporation's Tudor IVB aircraft known as "Star Ariel," on a flight from Bermuda to Kingston, Jamaica, on the morning of Monday, January 17. The machine carried thirteen passengers and seven crew. Search for the aircraft is continuing, and the full air-sea rescue service, in which we are grateful for the full co-operation of the United States authorities, is in operation over the whole area. I am sure I am expressing the feelings of the whole House when I extend profound sympathy to the families of the passengers and crew of the aircraft, of whose survival I am afraid there can now be very little hope. A preliminary investigation has already begun, and a representative of the Chief Inspector of Accidents left for Bermuda yesterday. As a result of this tragic loss, the British South American Airways Corporation have decided that the Tudor IV shall be suspended from service, pending a special investigation of each individual Tudor IV aircraft. I am sure that they are taking the right course, and I am taking the necessary steps to see that all available resources are placed at their disposal.