§ 54. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Air if he has now received a report setting out the circumstances in which the Royal Air Force authorities responsible for the Wahn Airport, near 32W Cologne, caused the special aeroplane of the French Prime Minister to circle the airport for 40 minutes in bad weather whilst they completed a jet fighter exercise, when he was arriving to meet the German Chancellor on 30th September last; and if he will make a statement on the subject.
§ Mr. BirchYes. The report shows that the Royal Air Force at Wahn were wrongly informed as to the time of the arrival of the aircraft in which the French Prime Minister was flying and that the aircraft's flight plan which should have been signalled to Wahn was incorrectly addressed. When the French aircraft arrived over Wahn, therefore, the Royal Air Force authorities were not aware that the French Prime Minister was on board. At the time a large number of Royal Air Force jet aircraft were landing after having taken part in a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation exercise. For reasons of aircraft safety the jet aircraft, whose fuel reserves are limited, had to be landed without delay. The French aircraft was, however, given clearance to land at the earliest practicable moment.
I much regret that this incident should have occurred, but I am satisfied that the Royal Air Force were not to blame.