§ 21. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, what is the date by which it is expected that the transfer of the B.O.A.C.'s North Atlantic base to Filton will be completed; and what is the total cost in dollars being expended in the United States and Canada for the operational expenses incurred there since October, 1945.
§ Mr. LindgrenThe transfer of the British Overseas Airways Corporation's North Atlantic base to Filton was virtually completed by 31st December, 1948, although it will, of course, be some time before the new base is fully effective. From 1st October, 1945, to 30th September, 1948, total operating expenditure by the Corporation in American and Canadian dollars (excluding capital expenditure) was approximately 22 million dollars.
§ Mr. CooperDoes my hon. Friend realise that I have been following this matter up for over three years, that the Corporation has procrastinated and resisted this transfer, which would have saved us millions of dollars, largely on the advice of their Atlantic division manager, who seems to have more concern for his empire building than for 907 the national interest? What steps does my hon. Friend propose to take to prevent a recurrence of this sort of thing, when men of that calibre are left in positions of responsibility in the Corporation?
§ Mr. LindgrenWe are watching the position very closely indeed in conjunction with the chairman and chief executive of B.O.A.C. If my hon. Friend has gathered any information and will pass it on we shall be pleased to receive it and to consider it.