§ 9. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what applications he has under consideration from the British Overseas Airways Corporation in respect of authority to purchase and operate British aircraft for the South American service.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNone, Sir. British Overseas Airways Corporation's existing aircraft orders include provision for this service.
§ Mr. HurdWill my right hon. Friend encourage B.O.A.C. to re-open this service to South America with Britannias at the earliest possible date, in view of its great importance to our good name and our business in South America, and can he say when he hopes it will be?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI entirely agree with my hon. Friend. I know his knowledge 1223 of that part of the world, and it is absolutely right that we should start this service as soon as we can, but as it depends to some extent on delivery dates of Britannias, I cannot give a definite starting date.