HC Deb 16 April 1947 vol 436 c157
3. Mr. Geoffrey Cooper

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the present size of the staffs of B.O.A.C., B.E.A.C. and B.S.A.A.C., respectively.

Mr. Lindgren

In supplementation of the figures given in the British Overseas Airways Corporation report for the year ended 31st March, 1946, the present number of employees in the three Corporations, including staff locally engaged overseas, are: British Overseas Airways Corporation, 24,497; British European Airways Corporation, 5,731; British South American Airways Corporation, 972.

Mr. Cooper

In view of the Ministry of Labour's Inter-Departmental Report, issued towards the end of the war, which showed that, in the case of B.O.A.C., there was no proper system of staff control, can my hon. Friend say what steps are being taken to see that there is a proper system of staff control applicable to these three Corporations, because of these ever increasing figures of staff?

Mr. Lindgren

Staff management in its detail is a matter of management to be decided inside the Corporations. By the express desire of this House, my noble Friend is excluded from the day-to-day management of the Corporations.

Mr. Cooper

Would it not be appropriate for my hon. Friend's noble Friend to take into consideration the fact that the staff should be in proportion to the tasks which the Corporations have to perform?

Mr. Lindgren

Yes, Sir, and it will be in order for this House to do so when the annual statement is before it for discussion.