HC Deb 02 December 1980 vol 995 cc137-8W
Mr. Robert Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to the conversion of civil airliners to allow for a military tanker potential in the event of hostilities.

Mr. Pattie

Nine ex-airline VC1Os are currently being converted into tankers for the RAF, We have studied the possibility of arranging for the modification of aircraft in airline service for wartime use as military tankers, but have no firm plans to do so.