VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to have the report of the inquiry into the recent loss of the York aircraft at Malta, and whether they will make the report available to the House.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD LLOYD)My Lords, before answering the noble Viscount's Question, I should like to express in this House, on, behalf of Her Majesty's Government, our deep sympathy to all the 3 relatives and friends of those who lost their lives in this tragic disaster. In answer to the noble Viscount's Question, I would inform your Lordships that under the powers conferred on him by Regulation 9 (1) of the Maltese Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations, 1952, the Governor has directed that a public inquiry be held into the causes and circumstances of the accident. My right honourable friend is in communication with the Governor regarding the appointment of a Commissioner and Assessors to conduct the inquiry.
It will not be possible to hold the public inquiry until the preliminary investigations and the collection of evidence have been completed. I cannot, therefore, say when the report of the inquiry will be available. The regulations provide that, unless there are good reasons to the contrary, the report shall be made public, wholly or in part, in such manner as the Governor thinks fit. But until the report is available and the Governor has had an opportunity of considering it, I can go no further than to say that I have no reason to suppose that it will not be published.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer. We on this side of the House should like to be associated with his expression of condolence with those who have been so seriously bereaved. With regard to the noble Lord's Answer to the Question, I appreciate the difficulties which arise when proceeding under regulations made under a Maltese Act, but the noble Lord will realise that the relatives and friends of the men who lost their lives, as well as others interested in the wider Service aspects of this great tragedy, would deplore a long delay in publishing a full and detailed report of the inquiry which is to be held. Surely, the conclusions reached by the Services in this matter should be communicated to Parliament. There is great anxiety in the country as to the continued use of very old transport carriers of this kind with such full loads. Whether or not there is any basis for that anxiety is a matter we should like to have cleared up by public inquiry as soon as possible.
LORD LLOYDMy Lords, I am conscious of the points the noble Viscount has made. He will appreciate that, 4 so far as the inquiry itself is concerned, there are highly technical problems involved in the examination of the wreckage. Although there may be a quick and simple explanation of the accident, the inspectors must be given time to gather the necessary evidence for the inquiry. I am sure the noble Viscount will appreciate that, if we are to have an inquiry, we must have a thorough one. I will certainly take full note of the anxieties he has expressed, and I can give him the assurance that, unless there is some good reason that I do not at present know of, I cannot conceive why this Report should not be published. I will draw my right honourable friend's attention to the expression of urgency which the noble Viscount has made.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHI thank the noble Lord. I should like to ask this further question: is there to be a further Services court of inquiry?
LORD LLOYDMy Lords, I am afraid I do not know the answer to that particular question. I will find out, if I may, and let the noble Viscount know.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, arising out of the supplementary question of my noble Leader, would the noble Lord, Lord Lloyd, indicate whether it is the Government's intention, pending the report, to investigate the question of using these old aircraft for trooping?
LORD LLOYDMy Lords, if I may speak again, with the permission of the House, the noble Lord will appreciate that I am involved mainly because this accident happened to take place in Malta, but I will find out the answer to the noble Lord's question and let him know.