§ 11. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what rent is being paid by the present tenants for the use of the maintenance base at Renfrew; and how much of its equipment, which was formerly in use, is now unemployed.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. John Profumo)The rents paid by individual tenants at the Ministry's aerodromes are confidential, and it would not be proper for me to disclose them. I am not aware that any of the equipment referred to is not now in use.
§ Mr. RankinBut this is nationalised property—paid for by the public. Why should we not know the rent which is now being paid by Scottish Aviation in view of the fact that it is doing immensely well out of the contract it is carrying out in that establishment? Can the Minister not have another thought on that?
§ Mr. ProfumoI do not think I need to have any more thought. I know the hon. Member realises that it is contrary to established custom to disclose rentals, but it may be for his convenience and for the convenience of the House if I say that the rent paid by the new tenants for part of the base is considerably higher than the rent paid by B.E.A.
§ Mr. RankinThe Minister cannot bring me into the plot—I hope—but can he say if he is satisfied that the rent now being paid is an economic rent? Is he aware that the price being paid by the Canadian Government to Scottish Aviation for the Sabre jet contract is nine dollars per man hour?
§ Mr. ProfumoYes, Sir. I am satisfied that the rent is an economic one. It is very considerably higher than the rent paid by B.E.A. having regard to the increase in the economic value of the property.