§ 3.13 p.m.
§ Lord BOSTON of FAVERSHAMMy 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 they will make a Statement about the report of the inquiry into the air disaster over Yugoslavia.
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I understand that the preparation of the report is nearly complete and that we may expect to receive a copy towards the end of this month. In accordance with the normally accepted international practice, the Yugoslav Government have given their approval to the publication by Her Majesty's Government of an English translation. However, they have asked that publication should be delayed until 137 the judicial proceedings now pending in Yugoslavia against some of the air traffic control officers have been completed. The proceedings referred to would include any subsequent appeals.
§ Lord BOSTON of FAVERSHAMMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply. Doubtless the whole House wishes to share in an expression of sympathy for those affected by the tragedy last September. May I ask my noble friend this question. Bearing in mind the difficulty with which my noble friend is faced in not yet having been able to see a copy of this report, although it was reported on Christmas Eve last that the inquiry's report had then come out, may I ask him whether it is envisaged that, arising out of the report, any steps will be taken by Her Majesty's Government to satisfy themselves that any improvements that were needed in the air traffic control system in the Zagreb area have been carried out? Could my noble friend also give an assurance that any such action and steps will be taken if they are seen to be desirable? Is my noble friend able to comment on the fact that there was a report by a Mr. Vass, a former past-Master of the Guild of British Air Traffic Controllers, that any blame as a result of this accident attached not so much to any individual person but to deficiencies in the system of air traffic control in the Zagreb area? Can my noble friend indicate whether the Government are yet in a position to say whether or not they share that view?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I think that the report that my noble friend referred to as having come out on Christmas Eve was a Press release from the Yugoslav Embassy and was not the report itself. That, as I indicated in my earlier answer, we expect to receive at the end of this month. On the question of an improvement in air traffic control services, I understand that a separate commission of investigation was set up by the Yugoslav authorities to inquire into whether any improvement in air traffic control services at Zagreb is needed, but we do not know the findings of that commission. As to my noble friend's last point, I have no doubt that if representations from the organisation to which he has referred were made they would have been taken into account by this separate commission of investigation.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARY-LEBONEMy Lords, I fully understand the Yugoslav Government's desire that the report should not be published pending judicial proceedings, and Her Majesty's Government's willingness to comply with that desire, but have the Government made any studies as to the kind of delay which this will involve? Continental criminal proceedings sometimes last for years. Can the Government give us any information about that?
Lord ORAMNo, my Lords, I am afraid not. The noble and learned Lord is perhaps better placed than most of us to know about the delays in legal procedures. As at present advised, it would be wrong for me to give any indication of how long the investigation might take.
Lord PAGET of NORTHAMPTONMy Lords, has the noble Lord borne in mind that there have been quite a few Yugoslav criminal trials in which there has been no coyness about publicity? Has he any idea why the Yugoslavs are suddenly coy on this subject?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I do not think that the suggestion of coyness, whatever that implies, is justified. Indeed, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government I should like to acknowledge the expeditious manner in which the Yugoslav authorities have carried out a searching inquiry. We have been represented at that inquiry and we shall await the report that I have indicated.