§ 9. Wing-Commander Roland Robinsonasked the Minister of Supply what are his present commitments for the purchase of U.S. aircraft; and when it is expected that the needs of British airlines will be fully met by the British aircraft industry.
§ Mr. WilmotSix Boeing Stratocruisers are on order by B.O.A.C. for their North Atlantic service. The British aircraft industry is already meeting the needs of British airlines except in the case of civil aircraft of the largest class. I hope that by 1951 at the latest, it will be meeting this need also.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyHow does the right hon Gentleman reconcile that statement with the fact that we have no air service between Great Britain and Switzerland? Will he publish, in the OFFICIAL REPORT, details of the up-to-date deliveries of British aircraft of commercial types?
§ Mr. WilmotThe operation of an airline between this country and another is a matter for my noble Friend the Minister of Civil Aviation.
§ Sir Wavell WakefieldIs it not a fact that many airlines would be operated now if only a supply of aircraft was available from the right hon. Gentleman's Ministry? How does he reconcile that position with the fact that British airliners are not being operated as they would be operated if aircraft were available?
§ Mr. WilmotI am sure the hon. Gentleman appreciates that it takes some years to bring a new aircraft from conception to operation, and that during the years when these machines should have been laid down we were wholly engaged in fighting a war.