TEAM TRAVEL DANGER

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28506, 8 February 1958, Page 13

TEAM TRAVEL DANGER

Tour Not Covered By Ban (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 7. In London, the “Daily Mail” asked in a front-page leading article on the Munich airliner crash, whether corporate bodies of any kind, including important political delegations, should travel in the same aircraft. “Such disasters in which a whole company travelling together can be wiped out together are more common in this age than in any previous period.” the newspaper said. “At one time the M.C.C. did not permit England cricket elevens visiting other countries to go by air, but this ban has been relaxed. To this day, league football teams are under a similar prohibition, but since Manchester United was engaged in the European Cup competition it was not covered by this rule. “Whether it should be applied at all times, not only to football teams but to all such parties, must] be urgently discussed even before! the inquiry into the accident itself is held,” said the “Daily Mail.” Most London newspapers carried editorial comment on the Munich crash, and lavish displays of pictures and text about the accident and the people involved. 1 “Important Questions” The ‘‘Daily Sketch’” said: “The exact cause of the disaster may take some time to establish. But there are some important questions that must be answered. Should the plane have tried to take off in a snowstorm? It is said that it made two previous attempts and failed each time. “Was there any defect in the aeroplane? The Elizabethan is an obsolescent plane. Its twin petrol engines and its speed had been completely out-dated by the modern prop-jets, notably the Viscount.” y

The "Daily Mail” quoted the chief executive of B.E.A-. Mr Anthony H. Milward as saying: "After going over the ground carefully and looking for reasons, the possibility of sabotage becomes more and more apparent "I cannot say it is. but I cannot rule it out at this stage.” Mr Milward flew to Munich last night to investigate the crash. No other newspapers carried hi* statement