§ Mr. James Hillasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now announce the names of the commissioner and assessors appointed to undertake the public inquiry into the British European Airways Trident disaster; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineMy right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has appointed the hon. Mr. Justice Geoffrey Lane, AFC, a judge of the High Court, to be the commissioner at the public inquiry. He has also appointed Sir Morien Morgan, CB, Director of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, and Captain J. W. Jessop, Deputy Managing Director of Northeast Airlines, as assessors.
The intention is that the public hearing should commence in London in mid-November. In the intervening period, in accordance with the Accident Investigations Regulations, detailed preparatory inquiries are being carried out by the Accidents Investigation Branch so that the case can be presented to the court under the direction of my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General.