§ 9. Mr. Wardasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, how many Vikings have been sold by the British European Airways Corporation; and how the selling price compares with the price paid for them.
§ Mr. LindgrenI am informed that British European Airways Corporation have not sold any of their Vikings.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMay I ask how it is that a statement to the effect that they have been sold appears in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, who censures the Government for what happened when the sale took place; and is it not extraordinary that a high public official should make a statement which is now denied from the Government Front Bench?
§ Mr. LindgrenI am only responsible for the correctness of my own statement. No doubt the Comptroller and Auditor General can justify his.
§ Sir P. MacdonaldSurely, the Auditor General would never make a statement without having evidence before him. He must have taken evidence, and does the hon. Gentleman deny the evidence which he must have received before he made up his mind?
§ Mr. LindgrenI can only repeat that B.E.A. has not sold any Vikings.
§ Mr. WardIn view of the highly-conflicting and unsatisfactory answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.