HC Deb 09 February 1949 vol 461 cc342-3
2. Mr. Geoffrey Cooper

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the type and number of aircraft being used by Airflight Limited for taking part in the air lift to Berlin; what is the total cost to date paid to this organisation; and what is the hire fee charged for the use of these Government-owned aircraft.

Mr. Bevin

Airflight Limited have two Tudor aircraft (Marks II and V), fitted with tanks for the conveyance of liquid fuel, in the air lift to Berlin. It is contrary to established practice to divulge the terms of Government contracts or the amounts paid to individual companies for their services. As regards the last part of my hon. Friend's Question, I should add that these aircraft are not owned by the Government but by Airflight Limited.

Mr. Cooper

Is it not a fact that these aircraft were obtained from Avro's under a Government order; is it the fact, as my right hon. Friend states, that the aircraft belong to Airflight Ltd.; and that the Government have paid substantially, if not entirely, for the aircraft already and are, in fact, paying twice by now paying any air hire for the same aircraft?

Mr. Bevin

I understand they were bought by this Company.