1. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is aware of the recent engine failures which have occurred on the stratocruiser aircraft operated by British Overseas Airways Corporation, necessitating the return of these aircraft to base from scheduled trips; what reports he has received as to the airworthiness of these machines; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. Beswick)Yes, Sir. As with other new types of aircraft, teething troubles have been experienced with the stratocruiser and 108 B.O.A.C. pilots are specially careful not to run risks. The Corporation have satisfied my noble Friend that in their experience, these troubles are not such as to cause concern about the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Air-Commodore HarveyThat does not answer my Question As these aircraft have turned back on numerous Gentleman quite satisfied that this enhances the reputation of British aviation with American equipment? What is he doing, with the manufacturers, to get some compensation for the large sum of money spent?
§ Mr. BeswickThe occasions on which these aircraft have turned back are not so numerous as the holt. and gallant Gentleman seems to think—
§ Mr. BeswickThe fact is that these aircraft are considered by the Corporation to be essential if the Corporation is to be competitive on that route.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydSo that the House may know how numerous are these returns, how many, in fact. are they?
§ Mr. BeswickI do not know whether the hon. Member means returns from the tarmac or returns after the aircraft has taken off, but I think that from all causes the occasions are something like 13 out of a total of 427.