HC Deb 05 April 1954 vol 526 cc8-9W
72. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation on what date he approved the agreement made between the British Overseas Airways Corporation and Skyways Limited under which the Corporation was to take a holding in the latter Company; on what date he revised his decision; and why the change was made.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I informed the B.O.A.C. on 19th March that I was prepared to approve the agreement. I confirmed this to the Chairman on 22nd March. Later that day I asked him to defer signature of the agreement. On 26th March, when it had become clear to me that the proposed agreement would discriminate against other independent operators, I told the Chairman that I could not agree to it.