§ 12. Mr. Perkinsasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the new board of British Overseas Airways will continue the policy of collective bargaining; and 156 whether they will be prepared to negotiate with the British Air-line Pilots' Association?
§ Sir A. SinclairYes, Sir. The requirements of Section 37 of the British Overseas Airways Act, 1939, will continue to govern the relations between the Corporation and its employees. I am advised that the Corporation, for their part, have every desire to work in close and friendly co-operation with the Association to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ Mr. GranvilleHas any member of this new board any experience of civil aviation in the past or ever been inside a British air lines machine?
§ Sir A. SinclairI really cannot see what connection that question has with collective bargaining.
§ 17. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he is aware of the difficulties existing at the factories of British Overseas Airways because of the non-existence of negotiated rates of wages and conditions of employment; and whether he will take the necessary steps to expedite the negotiations which have now commenced.
§ The Minister of Aircraft Production (Sir Stafford Cripps)I am glad to announce that agreement has now been reached on the machinery for the settlement of questions which arise between the management of M.A.P. factories operated by British Overseas Airways and their workpeople.