§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now make an announcement about the Chairmanship of the British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways.
§ Mr. John DaviesI am appointing Mr. Keith Granville, the present Deputy Chairman and Managing Director, to be Chairman of B.O.A.C., and Mr. Henry Marking, the present Chief Executive, to be Chairman of B.E.A. from 1st January, 1971. Sir Anthony Milward is retiring at the age of 65 years after 25 years' service with the Corporation. Sir Charles Hardie has been Deputy Chairman of B.O.A.C. since 1964 and agreed to take on the chairmanship in January, 1969, on a temporary basis while the report of 243W the Edwards Committee was under consideration. I am extremely grateful to both for their valuable services to the Corporations and to British civil aviation. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade announced on 24th November that the Government had decided to introduce legislation this Session to establish an Airways Board to exercise strategic control over B.O.A.C. and B.E.A. I shall accordingly on this occasion appoint the chairmen for a period of three years in the first instance. I hope to make an announcement shortly about the remaining members of the two boards.