§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, whether it has been decided that the construction of the Brabazon I civil airliners and the Saunders-Roe civil flying boats shall be suspended in whole or part.]
§ THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (LORD NATHAN)My Lords, the noble Lord has doubtless in mind reports in the Press that owing to the economic position work had been, or might be, suspended on the Brabazon I civil airliner and the Saunders-Roe civil flying boats and other aircraft. That is not the case. The future of the airliners in question will be considered in the ordinary way entirely on their merits.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, arising out of that reply, may I ask the Minister whether the second part of his reply does not take away the very satisfactory first part, when he said that construction was not to be stopped? Does he mean it will be stopped?
§ LORD NATHANMy Lords, I was attempting to answer the question put to me as I understood it, and to make it clear that the present economic position is not a factor which has been taken into account in considering the future of these particular airliners, which will be considered in the ordinary way on their merits independently of the economic situation.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEI am grateful to the noble Lord. Do I understand that there is still some doubt as to whether these half constructed liners, on 464 which a great deal of money has been spent, will be proceeded with? That is really the point to which I would like an answer.
§ LORD NATHANI cannot add at the moment to what I have already said to the noble Lord. It was intended to be a frank answer to his question.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEIt does not answer it. I am sorry.