§ Mr. Stokesasked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the inquiry into the disaster which took place at Downside School, on 22nd May, as a result of which 870W nine boys were killed and 16 injured, some of them seriously, is to take place; and whether, in view of the finding of the coroner's jury that there is no evidence as to how the accident occurred, he will make arrangements for the inquiry to be held in public at the earliest possible date?
Mr. AlexanderThe accident occurred on 15th May, and on 20th May a board of inquiry was held, in accordance with the custom of the naval Service. The board consisted of officers who had no conection with the Naval Air Station concerned, and evidence was taken not only from officers of the Station but also from a master and pupils at Downside. As a result of the findings of the board of inquiry a court-martial is to be held. The matter is thereforesub judice and I am not prepared to arrange for any other form of inquiry.