HC Deb 23 July 1947 vol 440 cc1189-90
1. Air-Commander Harvey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when the accounts of B.O.A.C., covering the year ended March, 1947, will be available.

6. Mr. Lennox-Boyd

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when it is intended to publish the annual accounts of the three air corporations.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. Lindgren)

The statements of accounts of the three airways corporations for the year ended 31st March, 1947, will be laid as soon as possible after Parliament re-assembles in October.

Air-Commodore Harvey

While I appreciate the difficulties of getting the accounts from overseas, may I ask the Minister to be sure that there is no delay, because of the large sums which may be involved, and because of the public interest in this matter?

Mr. Lindgren

Most certainly. There has been active co-operation between the Minister, the chairman of the corporations, and the accountancy sections and auditors of the corporations. We have brought publication of the accounts to within seven months of the end of the financial year, and we are desirous of bringing them as close to it as possible, because that is, in itself, an efficiency test.

Mr. Ernest Davies

In view of the long delay in presenting these accounts, will my hon. Friend consider giving more information in this House in response to questions put to him by Members of this House, pending publication of the accounts?

Mr. Lindgren

That is an entirely different question.