HC Deb 15 March 1967 vol 743 c91W
16. Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons investment grants are made in respect of ships and hovercraft but not for aircraft.

Mr. Jay

Since the major British aircraft operators are the public corporations, which, in common with other nationalised industries, are not eligible for grant in respect of their main statutory functions, the Government do not consider it would be justifiable to give investment grants to the private aircraft operators. These considerations do not apply to either ships or hovercraft? In addition, aircraft operating within Britain are in competition with other forms of transport excluded from grants.