HC Deb 24 November 1948 vol 458 cc1221-2
10. Air-Commodore Harvey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will now make a statement giving the estimated date of delivery of six Boeing Stratocruisers ordered for B.O.A.C.

Mr. Lindgren

I am informed that, according to the latest estimate, the first of the six aircraft on order should be delivered in July of next year, and that delivery should be completed by the end of October.

Air-Commodore Harvey

If, as it appears, these aircraft are late in delivery, is there a penalty clause which will be operated against the manufacturers for late delivery?

Mr. Lindgren

The penalty clause in the contract is such that certain contingencies are excluded from the responsibility of the manufacturer. Amongst these are strikes, type modifications and certain rulings by the C.A.A. Boeings had a strike which lasted from April to September, 1948, and delivery dates are correspondingly bad.

Mr. Ivor Thomas

When does the hon. Gentleman expect the aircraft to be put into service.

Mr. Lindgren

I would require notice to give a factual reply to that supplementary question, but the date originally intended when the contract was placed in May, 1947, was six months from the date of delivery.