HC Deb 17 April 1946 vol 421 cc2666-7
26. Air-Commodore Harvey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many aircraft were operated by B. O. A. C., and the total number of employees on 1st March, 1946.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. Ivor Thomas)

One hundred and ninety-five aircraft were in operation by the British Overseas Airways Corporation on 1st March, 1946. The total number of persons employed by the Corporation on that date was 21,367.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Will the Parliamentary Secretary state if the figures given include all the ground staff overseas; and will he undertake to review this very great number from top to bottom to see if their presence is really necessary?

Mr. Thomas

The figure does include a considerable number of persons engaged overseas. The number of persons engaged is, strictly speaking, a matter for the Corporations concerned in their independence of management, but I shall be glad to keep it under review.

Mr. Beswick

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what proportion of that 21,367 are employed in the offices of the Corporation here in London?

Mr. Thomas

The headquarters staff in London, including all staff based in London, is 1,190.