§ 50. Mr. G. Thomasasked the President of the Board of Trade how many aeroplanes sold as surplus Army stores to private dealers in the past year have subsequently been exported.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftNone, but 35 Royal Air Force aircraft sold to private dealers in the past year have been licensed for export.
§ Mr. ThomasHas the Minister any knowledge of the eventual destination of the aircraft? Is it not a little disturbing that so much has now been admitted by right hon. Gentlemen opposite to have been exported—when it was supposed to be used for scrap—and is finding it way to Egypt and the Middle East?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftTwenty-one of the aircraft went to Canada, and they were perfectly properly exported after consultation with the appropriate Departments.