HL Deb 08 June 1973 vol 343 cc288-90

11.22 a.m.

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the findings of the inquiry into the SRN.6 accident have led to any modification of the vehicle.

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)

My Lords, the findings of the inquiry into the SRN.6 hovercraft accident were largely connected with operational matters, remedial action on which has been taken. It is the view of the Civil Aviation Authority, which has the responsibility for certifying the intrinsic safety of hovercraft, that the SRN.6, as at present designed and constructed, is safe when operated within the operational conditions imposed. The desirability of introducing certain constructional modifications to the craft which were recommended in the report on the accident is under consideration by the Civil Aviation Authority. One modification which might enable craft to operate safely in worse environmental conditions is currently being tested, and a decision will be taken as soon as possible.

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that reply. In view of the technical reasons for the inquiry not being held in public, and of the seriousness of the accident in which six people lost their lives, may I ask my noble friend whether the Minister will consider publishing the report arising out of that inquiry, in order to reassure the confidence in hovercraft travel? Would he confirm also that future hovercraft accidents would be the subject of public inquiry, along much the same procedures as any rail or air accident?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, since June 2, 1972, inquiries of this type will be conducted along the lines of the Merchant Shipping Act inquiries. The inquiry which took place in this case was in the nature of a preliminary inquiry; it is not the practice to publish preliminary inquiries.

LORD HARVEY OF PRESTBURY

My Lords, could my noble friend say when the modifications will be carried out, bearing in mind that tens of thousands of passengers travel in these craft, and that it affects the export trade? Could we have a real assurance about the future?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, as I said in my Answer, the Civil Aviation Authority is satisfied that the present design of hovercraft is safe, when operated within the operational conditions imposed. Mandatory upper wind and sea limits in which the craft may operate were prescribed in operating permits issued under new legislation, which came into force in June, 1972.

LORD HARVEY OF PRESTBURY

My Lords, my noble friend said that modifications would be carried out at a future date. Could he say when they will be carried out?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, I did not say that. I said that one modification which might enable the craft to operate safely in worse environmental conditions than the operational conditions which are imposed now is being tested currently, and a decision will be taken as soon as possible.

LORD BURNTWOOD

My Lords, with regard to the matter of operational services of this particular form of transport, has he any figures to show what percentage of services have had to be cancelled due to conditions being considered unsuitable?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, I do not have that information, but I will write to my noble friend.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I am not quite clear from the noble Lord whether the results of the inquiry have been published, even though the whole inquiry has not, nor how far he is giving us information, thanks to the initiative of the noble Earl. In these circumstances, would he consider whether, if, for reasons which seem appropriate to the Government, the actual report—or the details—of the inquiry are not published, there should be some sort of authoritative statement? I suspect we are all rather left up in the air, appreciating that a new procedure will apply in future.

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, when my noble friend last asked a question on this subject, I said that a statement would be made before last Christmas. In fact, it was made on December 20—not in this House, because the House was not sitting on that day. It is published in the House of Commons Hansard for December 20, 1972.