HC Deb 15 December 1953 vol 522 c43W
101. Mr. Alport

asked the Under secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the length of time which must elapse before new transport aircraft can come into service, he is satisfied that, in addition to the projected Beverley freighter, new types of aircraft are likely to be available for general purposes to provide the necessary mobility for our airborne forces and strategic reserves.

Mr. Ward

I can assure my hon. Friend that the importance of obtaining modern transport aircraft for Service purposes is fully appreciated. In any major emergency the full potential of British civil aviation could be made available, in addition to the resources of the Royal Air Force, to provide mobility for our forces.