HC Deb 16 April 1947 vol 436 cc155-7
2. Mr. Geoffrey Cooper

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, on what special grounds of wide technical, commercial, aeronautical or other experience did the Minister make the appointment of the new Chairman of B.E.A.C.

Mr. Lindgren

The Chairman-designate of the British European Airways Corporation is deemed by my noble Friend the person best fitted for the appointment, having regard to all relevant considerations, including those specified by the hon. Member.

Mr. Cooper

Is the Minister not aware that the early association of this individual with civil aviation came about through the Erlanger and Whitehall Securities Financial Groups, and that the workers of this country have suffered long enough under the rule of privilege and incompetence to justify him looking elsewhere when making his appointments?

Mr. Lindgren

If I might say so, that is an unfortunate observation. The gentleman concerned has a very creditable record in civil aviation right from 1935, including the appointment of Commanding Officer of the A.T.A. during the war.

Mr. Speaker

I rather deprecate these personal attacks on people who cannot answer.

Mr. Cooper

The point I want to make regarding this appointment is that the Minister is here to answer—

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether it is not the case that the gentleman appointed—

Hon. Members

Order.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Cooper.

Mr. Cooper

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if his noble Friend is not aware that these appointments are of tremendous importance at this stage of development of the civil aviation Corporations, and that only qualifications of competence and knowledge of the job should be 'taken into account, and not what a man had done during the war?

Mr. Lindgren

It is knowledge and competence which guided my noble Friend in making this appointment.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he will bear in mind that many of us on these Benches who had first-hand knowledge of this man during the war, regard this appointment as a very good one?

Mr. Walter Fletcher

On a point of Order. Regarding the personal imputation made by the hon. Member opposite, I would point out that it was also made in respect of two firms. Is it in Order, Mr. Speaker, to cast slurs on these firms, and would the Minister make the same remarks on their behalf as he made on behalf of the gentleman in question?

Mr. Lindgren

I have no knowledge of the firms. All I am concerned with in this House is with the gentleman who has been appointed to the post. In that regard I would further state that my noble Friend, having made the appointment, is fully prepared to justify and defend it.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that this gentleman ran a most excellent show in the A.T.A. during the war, and that that in itself is a very good recommendation for the appointment?

Mr. Lindgren

That is my information.

Mr. Cooper

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the efficiency of the A.T.A. never came up for review in this House, and could not the control of that organisation have been equally well carried out by an officer who had done operational service?

Mr. Speaker

I think we had better get on.