§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether B.O.A.C. are considering plans now for increasing their existing fleet of VC 10 aircraft or whether they are likely to favour a further order of American Boeing 707 aircraft.]
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I understand that B.O.A.C. are hoping to purchase two convertible Boeing 707s, needed for non-scheduled operations starting next year.
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that disappointing reply, may I ask him whether he can advise us what load factor the VC 10 has so far accomplished on average over the last three years, in comparison with the Boeing 707?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I am sorry that I cannot give that figure off the cuff, but it really is not relevant to the noble Lord's Question. Unfortunately, as I understand it, there are no VC 10s available for this type of operation.
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, can the noble Lord say whether the present VC 10 production line is still operating or whether it has officially closed down?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I was hoping that the noble Earl would not press me about this. I myself wish very much that the Corporation had ordered more VC 10s some while ago. Nevertheless it is in any case a convertible aircraft which the Corporation need. It is not, however, now convenient for the B.A.C. to accept orders for two special aircraft.