Sir G. Lloydasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will forthwith refer to the judgment of an independent accountant of repute the disputed question of how much would in fact be saved by a transference of the Renfrew Maintenance Base to London.
§ Mr. Benceasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made in the negotiations between the British European Airways Corporation and the trade union side of the National Joint Council for Civil Air Transport on the future of the maintenance base at Renfrew.
§ Mr. ProfumoI am informed that British European Airways have proposed to the trade unions that they jointly appoint an independent assessor and accept his findings on the probable savings. This offer is still being considered by the trade union side of the National Joint Council for Civil Air Transport. If the offer is rejected, British European Airways propose independently to seek the confirmation of an assessor. In the circumstances, the decision on the future of the Renfrew Maintenance Base must await the outcome of this development. As it is in the interests of all parties concerned that this matter should be resolved as speedily as possible, it may 133W be necessary for an announcement on the future of the base to be made during the Summer Recess.