§ Mr. Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for Air what purchases have been made of foreign aircraft within the last 12 months by any British air-line in receipt of national subsidy; whether attempts were made to secure British-made aircraft instead and what consultations were had with British constructors by the companies concerned; what percentages of machines in regular operation by each subsidised company, respectively, are now of foreign make; and whether any and what arrangements have been made or are contemplated in respect of any further replacements or purchases by such operating units?
§ Sir K. Wood:Imperial Airways have no foreign aircraft in operation.
Within the period named British Airways have purchased three Lockheed Electra and one Junker aircraft in supplement, and replacement, of the existing fleet used on their present routes. In 597W addition four Lockheed 14's are on order and intended for use on the projected Lisbon route, in the circumstances explained by my predecessor on 4th May last in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Accrington (Major Procter).
British Airways' fleet consists of Junker and Lockheed aircraft because of the lack of suitable British commercial aircraft to suit the operational requirements of the company. The company have been in consultation with a large number of leading aircraft constructors, with a view to collaborating in the production of a suitable British aircraft to replace the foreign types at present in use.