DONALD CORRIE MP
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SW1A 0AA
The Right Honourable Robin Cooke MP
The Secretary Of State For Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs
Foreign And Commonwealth Office
Whitehall
London SW1A 2AH
our ref: gn.don19 April 2001
Dear Robin
Crash of Piper Lance near Malta - 3 December 1995
I wrote to you on 14 July 2000 on behalf of my constituent, Julie Donohue, of 4 Long Crook, South Queensferry, whose father, Michael Williams, was killed in an air crash near Malta in December 1995.
The reply, from Keith Vaz, (ref: 124337/00) indicated that some efforts were being made to identify suitable equipment to carry out a sea bed search. Ms. Donohue was asked to supply whatever details she had of the crash. I understand that she did so, including the co-ordinates of the site, but that there has been no further about progress since then.
Families of other victims of the same crash have been making enquiries as to who else might help put pressure on the Maltese government to undertake a thorough search for the wreckage. They have contacted the European Commission but the response is that "...it falls within the competence of the British Authorities to look after the interests of their citizens anywhere in the world".
Please let me know what progress there has been on this case and do what you can to ensure that a proper investigation of the site is carried out.
Your Sincerely
Donald Corrie MP