§ 71. Sir R. Boothbyasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he has now decided to accede to the request of the British Overseas Airways Corporation for permission to buy a limited number of United States turbojet airliners.
§ 75. Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what is the number of jet airliners that the British Overseas Airways Corporation has asked approval to purchase in the United States of America; and what is the total amount of money involved.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe Government have agreed to B.O.A.C.'s request to purchase fifteen Boeing 707 jet airliners to be powered by Rolls Royce Conway engines. The cost of the aircraft and initial spares will be about £44 million, of which £35 million is in dollars. This step is part of plans to enable B.O.A.C. to obtain a larger share of growing world passenger traffic.
The purchase of American aircraft in this instance has proved necessary in order that the Corporation may hold their competitive position on the North Atlantic route from 1959–60 when the Boeings will be in service with foreign airlines. At that time no suitable new British aircraft can be available for that purpose and this purchase is therefore regarded, both by the Government and by B.O.A.C., as an exceptional measure to bridge the gap until a new British type is produced.
The Corporation is urgently discussing with the de Havilland Aircraft Company Ltd. the technical details of an aircraft that will be sufficiently flexible to meet their requirements and command a ready sale in world markets. As soon as a satisfactory specification has been agreed, B.O.A.C. will place an order.
The orders for the new aircraft will involve expenditure requiring an increase in B.O.A.C.'s borrowing powers and the Government intend to increase them accordingly.