HL Deb 02 April 1947 vol 146 cc1003-4

3.57 p.m.

Lord HATHERTON

My Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government a question of which I have given private notice: Whether they have any statement to make as to the chairmanship of British Overseas Airways Corporation?

The MINISTER Of CIVIL AVIATION (Lord Nathan)

My Lords, as already announced in the Press, the noble Viscount, Lord Knollys, intimated informally some months ago his inability to continue as Chairman of British Overseas Airways Corporation beyond June 30 next, the expiry date of his term of four years for which he was released from his city business. I have regretfully accepted his decision. In view of suggestions that have gained a certain currency in the Press and elsewhere, I desire, with the concurrence of Lord Knollys, to make it clear that the reason for his ceasing to be Chairman is neither more nor less than that I have stated; and I may add that the relations of Lord Knollys with myself, both personally and officially, have throughout been, and are, of the best. I wish to take this opportunity of testifying to the devoted service given by Lord Knollys to British Overseas Airways Corporation and to civil aviation in general during his period of office, which has coincided with the critical phase of transition from war to peace.

Following upon the vacancy thus created in the chairmanship of British Overseas Airways Corporation, I have made the following appointments:—

To be Chairman of British Overseas Airways Corporation: Sir Harold Hartley, K.C.V.O., F.R.S., at present Chairman of British European Airways Corporation.

To be Chairman of British European Airways Corporation: Mr. Gerard d'Erlanger, at present Chief Executive of that Corporation.

The Board of British Overseas Airways Corporation have appointed Mr. Whitney Straight to be Managing Director (Chief Executive). They have also appointed Major J.R. McCrindle, at present Deputy Director-General of British Overseas Airways Corporation, to be Managing Director (External Affairs). The Board of British European Airways Corporation have appointed Mr. J. V. Wood, who has a long experience, both operational and administrative, in civil aviation and is at present with British Overseas Airways Corporation, to be Managing Director of British European Airways Corporation. The above appointments will take effect on July 1 next; when it is my intention to appoint Mr. Whitney Straight to be a Director of British Overseas Airways Corporation and Mr. Wood to be a Director of British European Airways Corporation. The appointment of Mr. Whitney Straight to British Overseas Airways Corporation will create a vacancy in the Deputy Chairmanship of British European Airways Corporation, and I hope shortly to be able to announce an appointment to that position.