§ 52. Mr. Shinwellasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, before the 300 military aircraft were exported to foreign countries in 1937, the sanction of the Air Ministry was obtained; and whether the Ministry are now satisfied that our superiority in numbers of aircraft justifies the export of machines abroad?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, my Noble Friend is satisfied that the export has been consistent with the fulfilment of essential service requirements.
Mr. AlexanderIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that last night the Postmaster-General said he could not proceed with air mail services because the aeroplanes could not be provided in this country?
§ Mr. BennDoes not the Air Ministry know anything about it? Is it not a fact that the Postmaster-General told us they could not spend £250,000 because they could not possibly get the machines? Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman permitting the export of 300 machines when we are 100 short for the postal service in this country?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThat seems to me to be largely a question for my right hon. and gallant Friend the Postmaster-General. It has always been a fundamental part of the expansion programme that we try, as far as possible, not to interfere with our export trade, which is a matter of considerable moment. It is in connection with that general consideration that these aircraft have been exported. The export has been consistent with the fulfilment of essential service requirements.
Mr. AlexanderBefore permission was given for the export of these machines was full account taken of the demands of Government Departments?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI cannot answer that without notice, but I will certainly look into it.
§ Sir P. HarrisDoes the Under-Secretary wish to suggest that these aeroplanes have been exported in the interest of our Imperial organisations or Imperial Airways, or were they exported in the interests of some private concerns?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThey have been exported in the interests of our export trade.
§ Mr. R. RobinsonWere not the machines which were sold for export of an entirely different type from those required at home?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadExcept in a very few cases the machines were not of the latest types.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it not true that among the machines exported, both civil and military, there were some of the most modern types?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadExcept in a very few instances—I have taken the trouble to satisfy myself on that point—the machines which were exported were not of the latest type.