HC Deb 09 May 1951 vol 487 cc1936-7
23. Mr. Geoffrey Cooper

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation in view of the consultations that have taken place between his Department and British Overseas Airways Corporation, and his consent having been obtained in ordering through the Ministry of Supply the new fleet of 14 Comet aircraft, what mark of Comet has been ordered.

Mr. Beswick

Of the 14 aircraft ordered, nine will be Ghost Comets and the remainder will be Avon Comets to a specification still to be finalised.

Mr. Cooper

Has my hon. Friend received from B.O.A.C. any calculations to show conclusively that these aircraft will be capable of operating profitably on the longer sections of the routes? Since this matter will show up sooner or later in operation, can the information be published?

Mr. Beswick

I should have thought that the answer to the second part of that supplementary question would have been "No, Sir." As to the first part, as the hon. Gentleman knows, trials are now bing carried out.