B.O.A.C. and B.E.A.C. (Aircraft) (Hansard, 29 May 1957)

§ 17. Mr. Beswick
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now make a statement about the purchase of new British jet aircraft by the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the British European Airways Corporation.

§ Mr. Watkinson
As regards British Overseas Airways Corporation, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 22nd May to the hon. Members for Govan (Mr. Rankin) and Sunderland, South (Mr. P. Williams). British European Airways have not yet completed their examination of the possibilities.

§ Mr. Beswick
Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the placing of these orders will be in large part settle the pattern of the British aircraft manufacturing industry for the future? Could he give any indication of the procedure followed in this matter of ordering these 396 aircraft and what principles are considered, apart from the straight commercial deal between the firm and the operator?

§ Mr. Watkinson
As the hon. Gentleman knows from his expert knowledge, what has been happening, and the House has been told this several times, is that both Corporations have been engaged in talks with all British aircraft manufacturers with aircraft to offer which seem likely to meet their needs. The talks in the case of B.O.A.C. are concluded and an order has been placed. The B.E.A.C. talks have not been concluded and, therefore, no order has been placed.

§ Mr. Beswick
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I was concerned not so much with what the Corporations did as with how the Government come into the question, which will be a most important one to the aircraft manufacturing industry? What is happening to the Transport Aircraft Requirements Committee? Is that functioning, and who answers for it in the House?

§ Mr. Watkinson
T.A.R.C. is still functioning and gives its advice. I might remind the hon. Gentleman that I said in an Answer last week that no Government money is involved in the order that has been placed. This is a private venture on the part of the firm concerned, and the Corporation has every right to pick the aircraft which it thinks best meets its needs.