§ 57. Mr. J. Howardasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he has now examined the estimates submitted to the British Overseas Airways Corporation by the group interested in acquiring and operating the Princess flying boats owned by his Department; and to what extent the operation of these flying boats as airliners is shown by these estimates to be a commercial proposition.
§ Mr. HayI have not seen these estimates. We do not propose to go into the merits of the proposals until we have received a full report on them from the Air Transport Advisory Council. This is normal procedure. The group interested in operating these flying boats, which are owned by the Minister of Supply, hope to lodge applications and supporting data with the Council soon. When my right hon. Friend has the recommendations of the Council he will consider them most carefully.