§ 42. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he has yet made any decision on the request of British Overseas Airways Corporation to purchase Boeing aircraft.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI have at present nothing to add to the reply I gave on 29th June to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Air Commodore Harvey). We must await the results of the technical discussions now proceeding with aircraft manufacturers in this country and America.
§ Mr. RankinCan we assume that the Minister has hopes that in the near future the British aircraft industry will be able to provide a machine which will meet the needs of B.O.A.C. for this purpose?
§ Mr. WatkinsonWhat we can assume is that the new Chairman of B.O.A.C., with my support, is conducting, as is his right and duty, the most urgent technical discussions with anybody who can offer him the kind of aircraft which will maintain the future prosperity of B.O.A.C. As soon as these discussions have taken place and any conclusions have been reached, I shall be in a position to go further into the matter with him.