§ 88. Mr. John Ellisasked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he is taking to recover the flight recorder 338W from the British European Airways Comet that crashed recently in the Eastern Mediterranean.
§ 93. Mr. Corfieldasked the President of the Board of Trade what further progress has been made in salvaging parts of Comet G-ARCO; and if he will give any further information as to the likely cause of the accident.
§ Sir G. Sinclairasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a further statement on the attempts to recover the wreckage of the British European Airways Comet G-ARCO.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuThe possibility of salvage has been carefully examined with Ministry of Defence and United States Navy experts and I have personally discussed the matter with the United States Navy Supervisor of Salvage. It is clear that salvage of the wreckage would be impracticable and that an attempt at recovery of the flight recorder alone would be an extremely difficult, lengthy and perhaps hazardous operation with little prospect of success. In view of this, and evidence which indicates detonation of a high explosive in the aircraft cabin, my right hon. Friend has decided that the question of salvage should not be pursued.