HC Deb 21 May 1980 vol 985 cc205-6W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is now able to make an interim report on the circumstances and cause of the crash of the Dan-Air Boeing 727 at Tenerife on 25 April; and what developments have occurred in the conversations that have taken place between his Department "and the Spanish authorities further to his reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe on 15 May.

Mr. Tebbit

Following the statement by the Secretary of State to the House on 28 April about the Tenerife crash, he said that he would not be able to publish an interim report, but would do his best to provide as soon as possible whatever information he could. My Department is consulting the Spanish authorities with a view to the issue, as soon as possible, of an agreed description of the events which led to the accident. So far there is agreement on the manner in which the flight was conducted by the crew of the aircraft, but there is not as yet full agreement about certain aspects of the air traffic control system.

Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether there is any disagreement between the Spanish and British authorities relating to the investigations into the cause of the crash of Dan-Air Boeing 727 GBDAN; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tebbit

Both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder have been recovered and have yielded useful information concerning the events leading up to the crash.

There is no dispute about the sequence of events that took place between the time the Dan-Air Boeing 727 passed over the VOR TFN on the northern part of Tenerife and the time of the crash.

There is agreement on the manner in which the pilot and crew conducted the flight of the aircraft, but there is not as yet agreement concerning certain aspects of the ATC system.

In assessing the cause of the accident it is the relationship between the ATC system and the actions of the pilot and crew which are being considered by the Spanish authorities, who are responsible for the inquiry, and officials of my Department who are assisting them.