§ 69. Mr. W. J. Taylorasked the Minister of Civil Aviation what steps he is taking to counter the additional competition with the British Overseas Airways Corporation which will arise from the Royal Dutch Airlines, K.L.M., as a result of the recent loan, made by the World 157W Bank, of $7,000,000 to enable that company to purchase American Super-Constellation aircraft to operate on routes now served by the Comet.
§ Mr. MaudlingI am informed that the loan of $7,000,000 recently made to K.L.M. (Royal Dutch Airlines) by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development is intended to provide part of the capital for a re-equipment programme involving 23 new American aircraft and a total outlay of some $30,000,000.
To develop its world routes British Overseas Airways Corporation already has on order from British manufacturers 11 Comet Series II and 26 Bristol "Britannia" turbine engined aircraft. These types of aircraft should be fully capable of meeting any international competition.