§ Mr. GALBRAITHasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any information has been received with reference to Pilot-officer Stewart and Lieutenant W. S. Day, who were recently lost in the Iraq desert; and what further steps it is proposed to take in order, if possible, to ascertain what has happened to them?
§ Mr. LEACHI regret that despite exhaustive search by aircraft, armoured cars, mounted police and some tribal patrols, which continued almost unceasingly for four days following their disappearance, no trace of the two officers could be found, apart from footprints in the immediate vicinity of their aeroplane. This search was finally abandoned on the fourth day. Police and special service officers have since continued to prosecute inquiries in the villages, but no clue has been obtained, and it is feared that the officers have lost their lives. A Court of Inquiry has been held, and its proceedings are now awaited. It is anticipated that these will show that every possible step has been taken to trace the missing officers.