§ 64. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation who are the members of the Board of International Air Radio, Limited; to whom it is answerable; and to what extent does he take steps to ensure that it is organised in such a way as to ensure its most rapid development and successful operation.
§ Mr. LindgrenThe members of the Board of International Aeradio, Ltd. are as follow:
nominated by the British Overseas Airways Corporation;
- Sir Victor Tait, K.B.E., C.B —Chairman,
- Major J. R. McCrindle, O.B.E., M.C.,
- Mr. Whitney Straight, C.B.E. M.C., D.F.C.,
nominated by the British European Airways Corporation;
- Group-Captain Patrick Saward, O.B.E.,
- Commander Vladimir Wolfson,
- Group-Captain Patrick de Laszlo,
appointed by other members of the Board.
- Captain Gordon Store,
- nominated by the British South American Airways Corporation, and
- Air-Commodore C. S. Cadell,
The members of the Board are answerable to the shareholders. The three British Airways Corporations hold 75 per cent. of the shares. The formation structure and objects of the Company were approved by my noble Friend, but its development and operation are primarily matters for the Board.
§ Mr. CooperIs my hon. Friend satisfied with the progress which has been made by this Board since it was set up, since the reports coming to me indicate that the progress to date is far from satisfactory?
§ Mr. LindgrenNo, Sir. In the first instance, the Secretary to the Board was a serving officer of the Royal Air Force. We had some difficulty in securing his 1456 release. Since his release, and the general establishment of the organisation, satisfactory progress has been made, but as this Corporation has to undertake negotiations with Dominion and foreign Governments, then, of course, matters are protracted.