§ 9. Mr. William Shepherdasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the number of men on the ground to every aircraft available for flying in the three Government corporations, as at 1st June, 1947.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. Lindgren)This is a matter of management for the corporations, but the hon. and gallant Member will find earlier figures in Appendix V to the Sixth Report of the Select Committee on Estimates.
§ Mr. ShepherdWill the Minister say why he refuses to give this information which is certainly in the public interest? Is it not a fact that hon. Members have a right to the information in view of the reports which are circulating?
§ Mr. LindgrenThis House decided in its wisdom, when the Act was passed, that day-to-day administration would be the responsibility of the corporation and not of the House.
§ Mr. RankinIn view of the fact that we were told it required 14 men to keep' an aircraft in the air during the war, is the number now used anywhere in the region of that figure?
§ Mr. LindgrenIt is in excess.
§ Mr. ShepherdWill the hon. Gentleman deny that the figure is now about the ratio of 600 to one?
§ Mr. LindgrenYes, Sir. I do deny it.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydDid we hear the Minister aright, that actually more people are employed than when aircraft were being attacked by hostile aircraft?
§ Mr. LindgrenThe question was whether it was 14 to one, the same ratio, and I said it was in excess.