§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Trade what inquiries he is making in respect of the helicopter crash in Plaistow on 27th April last; when he expects to receive any such report; if it will be made public; and what statutes lay down safety standards for helicopters.
10W
§ Mr. Clinton DavisA team from the Accidents Investigation Branch of the Department of Trade commenced work at the site on the day the accident occurred and the Chief Inspector of Accidents will decide whether an inspector's investigation will be carried out when the team has reported to him. In any case, an AIB bulletin containing the circumstances and facts relating to the accident will be published in the normal way and, if an inspector's investigation is ordered, a full report will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Trade in due course. In that event the Secretary of State will decide whether, in accordance with normal practice, the report will be published.
The relevant statutes concerned with safety standards for helicopters are the Air Navigation Order 1976 and the regulations made thereunder.