HC Deb 25 June 1952 vol 502 c2215
9. Mr. Grimond

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what steps are being taken to provide an up-to-date successor to the Dakota.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The need for the development of such an aircraft, which could also be capable of being used for freight is being actively considered by my Department in conjunction with the Ministry of Supply and the Air Ministry.

Mr. Grimond

Do I understand from that answer that so far there is no prototype and no plan on the drawing board for such a successor, and that it is only now being considered?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The matter cannot be dismissed quite so easily as the hon. Gentleman suggests. The number of passengers on routes now being flown by the D.C.3 has very considerably increased in recent years. It may well be that bigger aircraft, 40-seaters, may be needed on these routes, but the inter-Departmental committee is giving very active thought to this, and a great deal of work is being done. We have also had the benefit of the work of Canadairs, in regard to possible Dakota replacement.