17. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what further discussions have taken place between his Department and the British Overseas Airways Corporation within the past two months, as to the implementation of the Corporation's undertaking to dispose of its 10 DC.7C aircraft as soon as sufficient British aircraft were available for transatlantic use; whether he is satisfied that the Corporation can now obtain additional Britannias for this route; and by what date he intends to insist that it shall dispose of its DC.7C aircraft.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe future of B.O.A.C.'s DC.7C aircraft is still being considered. I will make a statement as soon as possible.
Mr. Gresham CookeAs aircraft take a long time to build, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the urgency of this matter, because, if British aircraft are to take the place of American ones, orders really ought to be placed very soon?
§ Mr. WatkinsonYes, but I do not think that that is the question. The question is that these aircraft will have to be sold as soon as they are surplus to the Corporation's requirements. It is not a question of replacing with British aircraft.