HC Deb 27 February 1947 vol 433 c339W
140. Mr. W. Shepherd

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will state the estimated annual cost of maintenance, including depreciation, of the aircraft to be purchased for Ministerial use.

Mr. Lindgren

I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the two Tudor III aircraft mentioned in the Prime Minister's reply to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 6th February. The annual cost of an aircraft which has not yet been operated in service is largely conjectural and, moreover, will depend on the extent of utilisation. So far as can be estimated at present it is anticipated that the annual cost of operating and maintaining these aircraft would be less than the expenditure involved by chartering special aircraft.