§ 47. Wing-Commander Hulbertasked the Prime Minister if he will give an estimate of the total sum involved in the nationalisation of the civil air services; how much of this sum will be required to acquire existing interests and how much will be used for the equipment of the services during the financial year 1946–47.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have been asked to reply. It is not possible at this date to state the total sum involved in the nationalisation of the civil air services. As regards the acquisition of the assets of existing interests negotiations are at present in progress and no estimate of the sum involved can be given until those negotiations are completed. As regards the sums required during the financial year 1946– 47 for the equipment of the services I must ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the publication of the Civil Estimates 1946.
§ Wing-Commander HulbertIs it not a fact from the answer of the Lord President of the Council, that the British taxpayer is being asked to buy a pig in a poke, and would it not be better to leave it to private enterprise?
§ Mr. MorrisonIf the hon. and gallant Member had a good hard business head he really would not put down a Question of this sort at all when negotiations were on foot with the private interests concerned.
§ Mr. BowlesMay I ask the Minister when the Bill for the nationalisation of the civil air service is going to be produced?
§ Mr. MorrisonI do not know.