§ Q5. Mr. Onslowasked the Prime Minister whether he will in future, when travelling overseas by air on official business, make use of the services of British civil airline operators.
§ The Prime MinisterAs the hon. Member knows, all of my official journeys overseas have been made in aircraft either of the Royal Air Force or of British civil airline operators. I have no reason to suppose that any different arrangement will be necessary in future.
§ Mr. OnslowWould it not be a good idea for the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary to do something to back Britain for a change by making it a firm rule to fly by British European Airways whenever they travel in Europe, and by British civil airlines whenever they travel elsewhere?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman may or may not be aware that my predecessors used to charter an American aircraft for their visits to the United States— [Interruption.]—a B.O.A.C.— owned Boeing aircraft. [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. There is too much aircraft noise.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Boeing happens to be—[Interruption.] If hon. Gentlemen will put— [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. We are losing Question Time.
§ The Prime MinisterIf hon. Members will put down Questions of this kind week after week they will be answered, and they will listen to the answers. As I was saying, my predecessors chartered Boeing aircraft from B.O.A.C. From October, 1964, I made it clear that I intended to fly only in British aircraft. My early flights were in B.O.A.C. Comets—obviously slower, but at any rate British —which was what the hon. Gentleman wanted. More recently in the main I have been using R.A.F. aircraft, both Comets and V.C.10s, and I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman would approve of that. I hope that that meets his requirements. With regard to my right hon. Friend's flight, as has been made clear several times, going by the airline concerned was the only way he could get there in anything like the time required and return for some very important discussions in America and Britain.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes my right hon. Friend realise that hon. Members on the back benches opposite are doing almost everything but throw bottles?
§ The Prime MinisterI have noticed that, for a long time, hon. Members opposite have thought that the best way to cover up their lack of policy is to follow such tactics.
§ Mr. PeytonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us are very willing to see him share with other carriers?
§ The Prime MinisterLike all the hon. Gentleman's recent supplementary questions—and he used to be a serious junior Minister—that is once again typical of Peyton Place.
§ Mr. PagetIs my right hon. Friend aware that, even if the Opposition had bottles, they would miss?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. They share that in common with my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Northampton (Mr. Paget). But, of course, we have seen earlier this week supporters who, when they thought their side was losing, started to throw bottles.
§ Several Hon. Members rose—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I think that the time is ripe for the Business Question.