HC Deb 11 May 1938 vol 335 cc1576-7
64. Mr. Simmonds

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why it was necessary for him to permit the purchase of more American aircraft for use on British subsidised air services when over 100 military aircraft of British manufacture have been exported this year?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

The answer to my hon. Friend's question is that none of the military types of aircraft that were exported would have been suitable for use on the subsidised air services.

Mr. Simmonds

Has it not been stated that the British aircraft industry is too busy building aircraft for the Royal Air Force to provide civil aircraft for subsidised British services; and is it not clear, therefore, that what has been lacking is not production, but co-ordination of supply?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

I think my hon. Friend will agree that the building for certain foreign countries of certain types of machines which are in very large production for military purposes is quite different from building quite separate types of aircraft for civil purposes.

Mr. Simmonds

But there are types of civil aircraft in production, and only four were required, while we have exported 100.

Viscountess Astor

Is it not the case that the lack of co-ordination of supply is almost a public scandal?