§ 68. Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether either or both of the two recent V-bomber crashes occurred during the practising of the new low-level anti-radar attack rôle assigned to the force; to what extent these new techniques are being practised over the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. H. FraserThe causes of the accidents to the R.A.F. Valiant aircraft on 6th May and to the Vulcan aircraft of the Ministry of Aviation on 11th May are being investigated. Neither accident occurred during low level flying practice. As the House has been told, low-level flying by V-bombers has been carried out over this country for some time.
I should like to express my deep sympathy with the relatives of those who lost their lives in these tragic accidents.