§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what requests he made for revision of the draft official report from the Spanish authorities on the Dan Air Comet crash on 3rd July, 1970; in what respects the report was revised; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether, in considering the official Spanish report on the Dan Air Comet crash on 3rd July, 1970, he satisfied himself that it covers all relevant factors, in addition to those matters which he has already accepted.
§ Mr. NobleDuring the compilation of this report from the mass of evidence collected, it passed through many drafts which were the subject of frank discussion between the Spanish and British investigators. The hon. Member will appreciate that it is the end result which counts. The present report has been prepared in the recommended I.C.A.O. format and covers the relevant factors appropriate to the investigation. As to the conclusions and recommendations, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 22nd February.—[Vol. 831, c. 290]
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if accident investigators from his Department had the co-operation of the Spanish authorities in securing access to all necessary witnesses of the Dan Air Comet crash in Spain on 3rd July, 1970; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NobleAs set out in Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which deals with accident investigation, participation of an accredited representatve from the State of registry is subject to the procedures of the State conducting the investigation. Permission was sought from the magistrate conducting the initial judicial investigation for my inspectors to examine the Spanish witnesses, but this request was not granted.134W However, copies of witnesses' statements were subsequently made available.