§ 83. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade, why, in view of the fact that his Department already has a fleet of De Havilland Doves and Hawker Siddeley 125's, he has decided to purchase for delivery in December, 1968 two Hawker Siddeley 748's at an estimated cost of £1 million to 1½ million; and whether this is in accord with the Government's policy of economy in expenditure.
§ Mr. William RodgersMost of the aircraft which make up the Civil Aviation 481W Flying Unit's existing fleet are obsolescent and becoming incapable of meeting the increasingly exacting standards required for the flight checking of ground navigational aids and airport approach aids. It has, therefore, been decided to acquire two HS748 aircraft which are the most suitable replacements available and the first of these is due to be delivered early next year The expenditure is fully justified in the needs of air safety.