§ Mr. McMasterasked the Minister of Aviation if he will now announce the details of the Britannic air freighter contract which Her Majesty's Government are placing with Short Brothers and Harland in Northern Ireland.
§ Mrs. McLaughlinasked the Minister of Aviation when he will be in a position to announce the signing of the Britannic contract.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI am pleased to say that a contract has been placed for the production of 10 Britannic freighter aircraft for the Royal Air Force. They 179W are due to come into service in 1964, and will be a valuable addition to Transport Command's strategic airlift resources.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air has decided that the aircraft, hitherto known as the Britannic, shall be named "Belfast" in service with the Royal Air Force. The manufacturers also intend to use this name for the civil version.