§ 75. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Aviation if, in view of the economic crisis, he will give general directions to the British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways to confine their purchases of new aircraft to home manufacturers in the long-term in terests of British aviation.
§ Mr. MulleyI would refer my hon. Friend to my statement to the House on 2nd August.
§ 76. Mr. Fortescueasked the Minister of Aviation why the British Overseas Airways Corporation has been authorised to buy a further Boeing 707–320C for freight purposes, to be delivered in late 1967, rather than being instructed to use a freighter version of the VC10.
§ Mr. MulleyBecause no all-cargo version of the Super VC10 had been developed nor could have been developed so as to be available at the date when the Boeing aircraft is needed and can be obtained by B.O.A.C.
§ Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Minister of Aviation if he will give an estimate 339W of whether the cost of the launching aid for the new British European Airways aircraft procurement is more or less than twice the estimated cost of developing the Superbe.
§ Mr. MulleyThe amount of launching aid will depend upon the aircraft finally selected by B.E.A. but is likely to be about half the estimated cost of developing the airframe of the Superb. There would have been additional engine development costs for the Superb.