§ Mr. LeighTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the crash of the Red Arrows team in Lincolnshire on 16 November;
(2) whether he intends to set up a board of inquiry into the accident of the Red Arrows team in Lincolnshire on 16 November;
(3) if he will ensure that safety procedures are reviewed with a view to preventing a repetition of the accident of the Red Arrows team in Lincolnshire on 16 November.
§ Mr. FreemanTwo aircraft from the Royal Air Force Red Arrows display team collided over Welton in Lincolnshire on 16 November while practising manoeuvres for their performance in the display season next year. Both aircraft crashed to the ground immediately after the collision; the pilots ejected safely, and no civilians were hurt as a consequence of the accident. Claims for damage to property will be carefully considered according to normal rules.
The Royal Air Force has convened a board of inquiry into this accident, which will examine fully all the circumstances with a view to establishing its cause, and preventing recurrence. A summary of the board's findings will be published in due course in the usual way.
§ Mr. LeighTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that full compensation is given to the residents of Welton, Lincolnshire, affected by the crash of the Red Arrows team, both in terms of compensation for damage to property and in terms of shock.
§ Mr. FreemanAll claims for compensation received by my Department will be considered carefully on their merits.