HC Deb 06 February 1978 vol 943 cc368-9W
31. Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will request the Swiss authorities to reopen the inquiry on the Vanguard air accident at Basle on 10th April 1973, with a view to determining the effect of high frequency communication transmissions using overhead power lines on the operation of radio beacons for air navigation.

Mr. Clinton Davis

No. By international agreement new and significant evidence is a prerequisite for reopening an aircraft accident investigation of this kind. The French authorities passed the report by General Forestier on spurious emissions from continuously modulated communication signals on high tension cables to the Swiss commission of inquiry in October 1974 before the public hearing was held. The Commission considered this matter and rejected it as a factor leading to the disorientation of the flight Crew.