HC Deb 23 June 1965 vol 714 cc1725-6
3. Mr. Raphael Tuck

asked the Minister of Aviation how many United States Boeing 707–320C convertible aircraft are to be purchased by British Overseas Airways Corporation under their existing option for six of these aircraft, in addition to the two which the Corporation has already purchased.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

As a purely precautionary measure, British Overseas Airways Corporation has arranged an option on six Boeing 707–336C freighters in case its expanding cargo traffic should call for additions to its fleet. My approval would be necessary before this option could be taken up, and this has not been asked for.

Mr. Tuck

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the same job would be done by the VC10 convertible version produced by the British Aircraft Corporation? Would he not feel that the purchase of these would be preferable to the purchase of the American version, in order first of all to help home projects and secondly to save much-needed dollars?

Mr. Jenkins

No, I have no idea whether B.O.A.C.'s cargo trade would expand at the rate that it will need to take up this option. One is some distance from that at the present time, but when the question of approving the purchase of the two freighters arose one had to look at the question of whether the VC10 was a substitute, and excellent though the VC10 is as a passenger plane there were certain difficulties about it as a freighter.

Mr. David Price

Do I gather that B.O.A.C. would have required these aircraft freighters if the market developed before a stretched super VC10 was available. Is it therefore a question of time?

Mr. Jenkins

I think it is difficult to measure what B.O.A.C.'s requirements would be, but there are indications that cargo freight will expand very fast. This would be before the question of a stretched VC10 arose.

Mr. A. Royle

Can the Minister tell the House what the cost, in dollars, would be of these new aircraft?

Mr. Jenkins

No, because I have not been asked to approve any purchase. But before being asked to approve it I should look very carefully indeed at the cost. This option does not commit B.O.A.C. in any way and does not commit Her Majesty's Government in any way.