§ 48 and 49. Mr. Perkinsasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1) whether any American-made aeroplanes are employed by any British subsidised air-line; and, if so, for what reason;
(2) whether any German-made aeroplanes are employed by any British subsidised air-line; and, if so, for what reason?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe only British subsidised air transport company using foreign aircraft is British Airways, Limited, who are employing two machines of American manufacture and two of German manufacture. As my predecessor explained in the answers which he gave on 18th November last, my Noble Friend assented to this arrangement in view of the fact that aircraft of British design and manufacture suitable for the services in question were temporarily not available.
§ Mr. PerkinsIs it not a fact that practically the whole of the subsidy which has been paid by the British taxpayer to this company has, in fact, been handed over to the manufacturers of either German or American aircraft, and is not the fundamental cause of this deplorable fact the narrow-minded and short-sighted action of the Air Council towards civil aviation during the last TO years?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadNo, Sir. I cannot accept the hon. Member's deduction. It is quite clear that the use of these foreign aircraft has simply been approved in order that the company might continue to carry on its operations pending the provision of a suitable fleet of aircraft.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonAre we to understand that the enthusiasm of His Majesty's Government for subsidies has now reached the point that they are subsidising foreign manufacturers as well as British?