§ 31. Mr. Simmondsasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will appoint a committee representative of the British operators of air liners to formulate the specifications of the principal types of air liners which will be required during the next five years; and whether he will consider assisting financially the construction of prototype aircraft to these specifications.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadIt has always been, and will continue to be, the practice of the Air Ministry to consult the principal civil aircraft operating companies in regard to experimental types of civil air liners, and it is not considered that the formation of such a committee is necessary. Provision has been regularly made in Air Estimates for experimental development of civil aircraft types and appropriate provision will continue to be made in the future.
§ Mr. SimmondsIs not the reason we are using German and American aircraft on the subsidised air lines that the procedure adopted is unsatisfactory, and will not my hon. and gallant Friend reveiw his question and get the co-operation of all concerned?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadWe have always this matter before us. I do not think the procedure is unsatisfactory.