HL Deb 22 April 1952 vol 176 cc248-9

2.48 p.m.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government to state their intentions as to the future of the Brabazon I and of the second Brabazon prototype.]

VISCOUNT SWINTON

My Lords, the first Brabazon aircraft, which has piston engines, was built for experimental use. The aircraft is now in the course of its development flying and it is intended that that work should proceed. As regards the second Brabazon aircraft, it was earlier intended that it should be fitted in the first instance with Bristol Proteus II propeller-turbine engines. However, it has become evident that great economy would be achieved by waiting for the production of the more powerful Proteus III engines which are not yet available. It has, therefore, been decided to postpone for the time being the work of completing the second Brabazon.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, with regard to the first Brabazon, as this machine is completed and her trials must now be concluded, may I ask the Government whether they will put her on the London—Paris route this summer, as she would be a great attraction to travellers?

VISCOUNT SWINTON

My Lords, I should not like to give an answer to that question offhand. In order to prepare the Brabazon for civil transport, a great deal of work and expenditure would have to be incurred. Whether that would be a practical proposition—by which I mean an economic proposition—would be a matter for consideration between the B.E.A., who presumably would charter her, and the Ministry of Supply. If the cost were out of proportion to the revenue which would be received, while it might ultimately he attractive to travellers it might not be equally attractive to the British taxpayer.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, it might be as attractive as to keep her doing nothing. In any case, I understand that B.E.A. are anxious to use her and that she is in fact almost ready for use, apart from the seating. If the seating were put in to the standards which would be required, she could be used very soon. I would ask the Government to make up their minds one way or the other, because the aircraft would be a great attraction and a great revenue-earner on this route.

VISCOUNT SWINTON

My Lords, I am perfectly certain that the Government will make up their minds as soon as they have a definite proposition put to them. I answer only as I am informed, and I did ask about this matter. It is by no means certain that B.E.A., looking at it as a commercial proposition, would wish to make the necessary overtures to the Ministry of Supply. I understand that putting in the seating is not just like putting a garden chair or two on the lawn on a fine day. It would he a pretty extensive and expensive operation.