§ 34. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry if he will offer to the Overseas Dominions and Colonies some of the surplus aeroplanes now in the possession of the Air Ministry, with a view to their being used for postal and similar services?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for AIR (Major-General Seely)This question is at this moment being considered. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will repeat his question next week. Since I drafted this answer a satisfactory conclusion has been arrived at by the Government and I hope to make a satisfactory announcement when the hon. Member repeats his question.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYWill this be given as a free gift or will it be a purchase?
§ Major-General SEELYAs a free gift to the Dominions, the Crown Colonies, and to India.
§ 37. Lieut.-Colonel Sir SAMUEL HOAREasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether, in view of the high prices now being realised for obsolete and old motor cycles and cars being sold by Government Departments, it would be desirable to offer some of the new aeroplanes, now being broken up by his Department, to the public by auction sale so as to test the market on this matter?
§ Major-General SEELYThe aeroplanes which are being reduced to produce are those which are obsolete for war purposes and unsuitable for civil aviation. His Majesty's Government accordingly could not accept the responsibility of putting them on the market. The responsibility of the Air Ministry ends when they have decided what machines are surplus and which of them are obsolete for service use and unsuitable for civil aviation. Thereafter the question of disposal rests with the Disposal Board under the Ministry of Munitions.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOAREWhy could not the right hon. Gentleman put some of these on the market to see if there is a demand for them, and at the same time make it clear that any purchaser purchases them at his own risk?
§ Major-General SEELYThat is a matter for the Disposal Board of the Ministry of Munitions, and questions on that subject should be addressed to them.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOORE - BRABAZONHave steps been taken to dispose of some of these machines to neutral countries for trade purposes?
§ Major-General SEELYI have just announced the decision of the Government to make a free gift to the Dominions, Colonies, and India of those required for certain specific purposes, but the disposal of the machines is a matter for the Disposal Board of the Ministry, and I shall I e obliged if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will address his questions to them, as they have all the facts at their disposal.