asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give a guarantee that after the war all moneys, facilities, aerodromes and aircraft of Air Transport Command will immediately be ceded to those controlling civil aviation?

Transport squadrons will no doubt form part of the Royal Air Force after the war, their number depending on the size and distribution of the Force. I cannot therefore give the all-embracing undertaking for which my hon. Friend asks. Such resources of Transport Command as are not, however, required for Royal Air Force purposes and are suitable for civil air transport will, I hope, become available for the latter role.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman only hope?

Because I cannot bind my successors in future Governments.

Does it mean that civil aviation will get only the outcasts of the Royal Air Force and machines they do not want?

It means that the requirements of the Royal Air Force must be met first and that such surplus as is available will be, I hope, given to civil aviation.