§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current provisions governing the publication of investigations into crashes of RAF aircraft. [18491]
§ Mr. SoamesA military aircraft accident summary, outlining the circumstances and cause of each RAF aircraft accident, together with any significant flight safety lessons learnt, is published when the board of inquiry has been completed and, when there has been a fatality, after next of kin have been made aware of the inquiry's findings. Copies of the MAAS are sent to the hon. Members in whose constituency the accident occurred as well as to those in whose constituency the aircraft involved was based. Copies are also placed in the Library of the House and published in the specialist press. This arrangement applies equally to Royal Navy aircraft accidents.
§ Mr. NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions exist for(a) the payment of compensation for the (b) awards in recognition of gallantry, shown by RAF personnel who have died while directing a crashing aircraft away from populated areas. [18492]
§ Mr. SoamesCompensation would be paid in accordance with common law principles to dependants of service personnel whose death resulted from negligence on the part of the Ministry of Defence or someone acting on its behalf. If the fatal accident had been caused by the negligence of members of the aircrew, dependants of those who had been negligent would not receive compensation.
Where RAF personnel die in service and are members of the armed forces pension scheme, benefits are payable either to their dependants or to the estate of the deceased. In addition, where the cause of death is accepted as attributable to service, additional benefits will be paid even if the person had opted out of the AFPS and had made their own personal pension arrangements. These additional benefits would include a tax-free war widow's pension, where appropriate, under the scheme operated by the Department of Social Security.
The Air Force cross and Queen's commendation for bravery in the air are available to recognise acts of non-combatant gallantry by RAF personnel while flying. Higher levels of gallantry in the air may be recognised by the George cross or George medal. Each may be awarded posthumously. Recommendations for these awards are made by commanding officers when appropriate.
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§ Mr. NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the crash of a Harrier at Burnworthy, Somerset; and what measures he is taking(a) to avert crashes of RAF aircraft and (b) to improve training instructions to avert casualties to (i) RAF personnel and (ii) civilians on the ground. [18490]
§ Mr. SoamesInvestigations into all the aircraft accidents that have occurred this year, including the accident involving a Royal Navy Harrier T4 in my hon. Friend's constituency on 23 February, are still continuing. Action will be taken to ensure any flight safety lessons are communicated widely within my Department as soon as they become apparent. All aircrew must reach specified professional standards before they are permitted to take part in any military flying activity. There is no question that either the RAF or the Royal Navy would ever jeopardise the safety of its aircrew or civilians on the ground by allowing inadequately trained personnel to fly an aircraft.