Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennettasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is the capital sum on which the British Overseas Airways Corporation has to pay interest; whether this interest has to be paid whatever the trading results of the Corporation; whether he is satisfied that this arrangement is that most agreeable to the Corporation; and whether the Corporation is permitted to raise capital in any alternative way.
§ Mr. BeswickThe capital sum, as at 1st August, 1951, is£34,340,000; interest has to be paid whatever the trading results; I am informed that the Corporation consider that the arrangement is the only practicable one in the circumstances. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.