§ 31. Captain Sir Peter Macdonaldasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he can now make a full statement with regard to the policy of the Government on civil aviation; and to what extent previous Government policy on this subject is to be modified.
Mr. I. ThomasMy Noble Friend hopes to be in a position to make an announcement on civil aviation policy at an early date.
§ Sir P. MacdonaldIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the failure of the Government to make up their minds on this very vital question causes great confusion to civil aviation not only in this country but throughout the Empire? Will he make up his mind as soon as possible because I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment?
Mr. ThomasMy Noble Friend hopes to be able to make this statement very shortly. He has been in office for only two months and I could not agree that this is a long period in which to formulate a policy on such a complicated issue.
§ Sir P. MacdonaldFurther to the last part of my supplementary question, is it not a fact that the policy laid down by the late Government was advocated in a White Paper submitted to this House by the present President of the Board of Trade?
Mr. ThomasIt is one of the constitutional axioms of this country that no Government is committed by its predecessor.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWhile that may be true, might I ask the hon. Gentleman what possible objection there could have been to going ahead with the policy which all members of the late Government approved, and which would have enabled us to meet the challenge from America to which we are now subjected?
Mr. ThomasNo, Sir, the question of policy has not led to any delay in meeting our post-war requirements for air transport. The only delay is caused by the physical factor of aircraft.