HC Deb 15 March 1967 vol 743 cc499-500

31. Mr. Hastings asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he intends to take to assist further exports of the VC10.

Mr. Jay

In collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology, and with the support of Her Majesty's representatives overseas, I shall continue to take every opportunity to assist the sale of this aircraft abroad. E.C.G.D. facilities are available to cover exports of the VC10 on terms up to a maximum of 10 years post-delivery credit for credit-worthy buyers and countries.

Mr. Hastings

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one way in which to do this would be for the management of B.O.A.C. to publicise the full facts about the load factors of the VC10 as compared with the Boeing 707? Has not the VC10 turned out to be an aircraft which is outstandingly succesful economically? Why do not B.O.A.C. and the Government say so more clearly than they have?

Mr. Jay

I have said this repeatedly, long before the hon. Gentleman stated it.

Mr. Hastings

No.

Mr. Jay

I will give the hon. Gentleman the quotations if he likes. It is perfectly true that the VC10 has been outstandingly successful and B.O.A.C. has constantly paid tribute to it.

Mr. R. Carr

If it is so successful and if, as is obvious, B.O.A.C. is short of capacity, both now and as projected for the future, why did the Government allow the cancellation of the Super VC10 a year ago?

Mr. Jay

I have tried to explain that eight VC10s are coming forward and going into service with B.O.A.C., but the total number of aircraft which an airline wants must be in some way related to the traffic likely to be available.