HC Deb 24 February 1958 vol 583 cc10-1
18. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Supply how many Comet aircraft Marks I and II have been bought by his Department; for what purpose; and at what cost.

Mr. W. J. Taylor

Three Comet I's were purchased as prototypes in aid of the development of the civil type, and eight in aid of the Ministry of Supply's research programme, the majority being for ground fatigue tests. Two Comet II's were purchased in aid of the development of the military version, one of them being for ground fatigue tests; thirteen Comet II's were purchased for the Royal Air Force. The Ministry of Supply also bought, as a reserve backing, three airframes, which are no longer required and which are to be disposed of. The cost of these twenty-nine aircraft, excluding engines, was rather more than £9 million.

Mr. Beswick

Is not the suggestion that the hon. Gentleman's Department requires eight new Comet aircraft for testing purposes quite ludicrous? Is it not a case that these purchases were made simply in order to help he firm out of its financial difficulties? Is it not wrong that this amount of taxpayers' money should be paid out?

Mr. Taylor

No, Sir. The House will recall that, after the inquiry into the Comet accident, it was found necessary to provide aircraft for very extensive and exhaustive tests in order that the aircraft could be re-proved for civil use. I do not accept the hon. Member's imputation that more aircraft were bought than were necessary. As for the rescue operation of the company concerned, that is fully dealt with in the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Ministry of Supply's Appropriation Account for 1954–55, and the Sixth Report of the Committee of Public Accounts for 1956.

Mr. Beswick

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that if the Government had not been so extravagant in their subsidy of the aircraft industry at this time, it would not have been necessary this year to have taken the other course and carry out economies which themselves are proving just as wasteful?

Mr. Taylor

That is another question.