HC Deb 25 March 1946 vol 421 cc12-3
33. Air-Commodore Harvey

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production which airline operators, who were running air services prior to 3rd September, 1939, have been successful in tendering for surplus aircraft.

The Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production (Mr. John Wilmot)

As the answer includes a list of names, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Is the Minister aware that a number of aircraft companies who ran charter services before the war have been unsuccessful in obtaining aircraft; and will he see that these companies get a square deal—their aircraft were, after all, requisitioned at the beginning of the war—even if they have to pay the price which the Government paid them?

Mr. Wilmot

There is a considerable list of those who have been successful in my answer.

Mr. Bowles

Is this really confined to airline operators or does it extend to charter services?

Following is the answer:

Successful tenderers for surplus aircraft include 16 who have signified their intention of using the machines wholly or partly for charter of passenger carrying work. At least seven, whose names follow, can be identified as having operated before September, 1939 others may have operated under names different from those under which they have now tendered.

The seven are:

Air Taxis Limited, Allied Airways (Gandar-Dower) Limited, Herts and Essex Aviation Limited, Hunting Aviation Limited, Rolla-son W. P. (Group Captain), Southern Aircraft (Gatwick) Limited, Straight Corporation Limited.