HC Deb 07 August 1980 vol 990 cc233-4W
Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what investigation has taken place into the circumstances in which the Alidair Scotland Viscount airliner crash-landed on a flight from Santander to Exeter; if he is satisfied that the aircraft received the amount of fuel it requested in Spain; whether the aircraft's fuel guages were working properly; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tebbit

The Chief Inspector of Accidents ordered an inspector's investigation to be conducted into the accident to the Alidair Viscount which crashed near Exeter on 17 July 1980 and the Secretary of State will receive a full report in due course. Inspectors from the accidents investigation branch visited Santander between 22 and 24 July and were assisted by the Spanish aircraft accident investigation authorities. The question

1976 352
1977 303
1978 319
1979 337
1980 (to end July) 177

The Department's overseas trade fair programmes have been subject to the direction of the British Overseas Trade Board since its inception in 1972.

Mr. Bob Dunn

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the establishment, by discipline, of the British Overseas Trade Board in each year since 1970.

Mr. Eyre

The following were the numbers of civil servants engaged in export services work—in the Department of Trade—under the direction of the British Overseas Trade Board on behalf of the Secretary of State, in each year since the board was set up:

whether the aircraft received the fuel that was requested in Spain is still the subject of investigation. The port fuel gauge was defective and the starboard gauge was not wholly reliable. An AIB bulletin concerning this accident was published on 25 July 1980 and I do not believe it would be helpful to the further progress of the investigation to make any further statement at present.

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