§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Chief Inspector of Accidents has now determined the cause of the crash, involving loss of life, of a privately operated Viscount aircraft at Manchester Airport in 1969; if he will publish the Chief Inspector's conclusions; why it has not been possible to produce an earlier report; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe Chief Inspector of Accidents' report on the investigation into this accident has been submitted to me and is to be published on 19th November. As forecast in the reply made to the House in October, 1969, it has not been possible to establish why control of the aircraft was lost388W following a simulated engine failure during take-off. Due to the limited evidence and the absence of a clear lead, this has proved to be an intractable investigation in which the chief Inspector has thought it necessary to consult experts in various fields, which has, of necessity, taken time and delayed the completion of his report.