§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will call for an immediate report on the conditions of the crash on 8 December of the United States Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft from the United Kingdom Bentwater base; whether the aircraft was involved with other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation planes including any from the Royal Air Force; whether the aircraft was involved in low-flying exercises at the time of the crash; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe United States Air Force A-10 aircraft which crashed so tragically at Remscheid on 8 December had been on detachment from RAF Bentwaters to Noervenich in the Federal Republic of Germany. There was no Royal Air Force involvement.
The accident is being investigated thoroughly by the United States Air Force and any conclusions relevant to flight safety will be made available to the appropriate NATO authorities in line with agreed procedures. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has sent a message of condolence to Dr. Scholz and the German people.