asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many aircraft have been diverted from Heathrow to Prestwick on account of weather conditions during November.

None, Sir, but two bound for London Airport proceeded direct to Prestwick in view of the general weather situation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether the cuts in capital expenditure will affect the work in progress at Heathrow.

Yes, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the recently published White Paper on Capital Investment.

When is it expected to complete the new runway programme at Heathrow?

It was intended to complete it towards the end of 1950. This curtailment in labour force will perhaps delay it till 1952.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether it is intended to take delivery of the Stratocruisers in view of the restrictions on foreign travel; when deliveries are now expected to take place; and whether he is satisfied that these planes can be profitably operated.

Yes, Sir. Deliveries of these aircraft are expected to begin in August, 1948. The answer to the last part of the Question is also, "Yes, Sir."

How can the Parliamentary Secretary make that reply in view of the fact that on the East-bound run the existing Constellations are coming back, in the main, practically empty; and will he not agree that the purchase of these aircraft is yet another great blunder which his Ministry have committed?

Most certainly not. The present operation of the Constellations on the North Atlantic service is an economic service, in so far as the relation between the load factor and the operating costs will make it economic.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary saying that it would have been in the national interests not to have bought Constellations instead of Stratocruisers?

I am saying that at the moment we have no British aircraft which could have been economic in relation to the operating costs and load factor.

I agree.

These aircraft are economic and, therefore, this is the most profitable course to adopt.

In those circumstances, would it not be a good idea to try the Tudor on the North Atlantic run, for which it was built and which it is fit to fly?

It has been proved unsatisfactory for the North Atlantic, and, therefore, it would be unwise to consider introducing it into service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the cost to the public for the capital subscribed by the Department, together with the Airways Corporations, for the formation of International Aeradio; what is the amount subscribed by each organisation concerned; why other European air transport concerns have refused to loin International Aeradio; and what were the terms offered to these air lines from the point of view of their financial contribution and the participation in management.

None of the capital of International Aeradio Limited will be subscribed directly from public funds. The three Airways Corporations have agreed to contribute the major portion of the present authorised capital of £250,000, but the amount to be subscribed by each organisation has not yet been settled. The remaining questions are matters for the board of the company.

In view of the vast amount of public money which goes to the Corporation's support, does the Parliamentary Secretary not consider it would be his direct responsibility to watch the development of International Aeradio Limited; and does he consider the present Board is suitably constituted with people of sufficient experience, and of an international character, which is likely to cause this international organisation to develop in the quickest and most useful way?

The answer to the latter part of the supplementary question is "Yes, Sir." The first part concerns matters which are for the board, but the Ministry keeps in touch with them because it is desired that, these being common services, there should be an international organisation to administer them.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that if seats on the board were offered to international transport organisations, it might assist materially to the more rapid development of this organisation?

That will be done as and when capital is put forward by them, and I hope it will not be long before they are represented there.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is satisfied that Turnhouse Airport is operationally suited to the needs of a developing air service.

I am satisfied that Turn-house Airport is adequate to meet the needs of the existing service, and such future needs as are contemplated at present.

Is it not the case that Aberdeen Airport is being adapted for the Viking, and that Turnhouse Airport will now be the only airport on the East Coast service which cannot at the moment take the Viking?

No, Sir, it is dictated, not by Ministry, but by the area of land available, and by the topography of the surrounding land.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is aware that the fact-finding inquiry on the Pan-American Airway Constellation accident at Meyadin, Syria, on 18th June, 1947, in which seven British subjects were killed, has now been published, stating that the aircraft was not provided with maps or charts of emergency landing fields, including the R.A.F. base at Habbaniya; and to what extent such information is and has been available to civilian operating companies.

No, Sir. The Interim Report of the Fact-Finding Committee makes no mention of the lack of maps or charts, and the final report has not yet been received. British aeronautical charts are on sale through authorised chart sellers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is aware that there exists at present at Prestwick hangar accommodation sufficient to allow the maintenance and servicing of three Constellations at Prestwick Airport; and if he will make arrangements to use these facilities.

No, Sir. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary look into this again, since the information of those on the spot in no way agrees with what he has said?

I am prepared to accept my brief rather than that of the hon. and gallant Member.

Can my hon. Friend say the date when he anticipates the Constellations will be brought to this country?

In the autumn of 1948.

Will he try to speed it up a little?

In view of the fact that the Parliamentary Secretary's statements and opinions on Scottish aviation have been almost invariably wrong, is it not possible that he may also be wrong on this occasion?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is the total sum of the token payments made by the Government to Scottish Aviation, Limited, for their services at Prestwick.

£103,918 16s. 7d.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether that includes payments to the hotel, and whether the hotel is owned by Scottish Aviation?

It is owned by my Ministry, but is operated by Scottish Aviation. The figure does not include anything in regard to the hotel, the rent of which has yet to be determined.

Does the figure relate to work which is going on in the Scottish airport in regard to refitting Dakota aircraft for sale?

No, Sir, that is entirely private venture.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say when he expects a final settlement?

As soon as possible. The present contract allows for a continuation until 31st March, 1949, but an attempt will be made to conclude an agreement before that date for the Ministry to take over all the services.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what feeder services exist to and from Prestwick; and what additional feeder services he proposes to introduce.

None, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether cuts in the capital investment programme, necessitating delay in airfield construction schemes, make any distinction as regards schemes within development areas, similar to the factory-building priorities which have been retained by the Government.

No, Sir.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware his decision means that in the North-East development area we shall not have any direct air route with the continent, especially with Scandinavia and Belgium, where Tyneside did most of the prewar trade, for at least three and, possibly, four or five years.

Yes, Sir. It is a matter of priority. Which shall be first, Jarrow tunnel and houses, or the development of the airfield?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation on what date was the Air Transport Advisory Council constituted; what members serve upon it; and what is their remuneration.

The Air Transport Advisory Council was constituted by Order in Council dated 11th June, 1947. It has the following membership:

• Lord Torrington, C.B.E. (Chairman).
• Sir Donald Banks, K.C.B., D.S.O., M.C.
• Mr. John lire Primrose, D.L., J.P.
• Air-Commodore the Hon. W. L. Runciman, O.B.E., A.F.C.
• Mr. G. S. Szlumper, C.B.E., T.D.

Pending experience of the volume of work likely to devolve upon the Council, the Chairman receives remuneration at the rate of 20 guineas, and the other members of the Council at the rate of 15 guineas for each day on which the Council meets.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation on how many occasions the Air Transport Advisory Council has met; what matters have they considered; and on what matters have they tendered advice to the Minister.

Four, Sir. The Council has investigated representations made to it by a member of the public relating to air services in Scotland, and has submitted its report and recommendations to my noble Friend. Other similar representations are at present being examined by the Council.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that if the extent and purpose of this Advisory Council were more widely known, a good many of the questions and complaints which come to Members of Parliament and find their way on to the Order Paper, might be directed to the Council in the first place?

Yes, Sir. I hope this Question and my answer will relieve hon. Members of some of the letters they have been getting. If hon. Members will inform their constituents of this official channel, that will be one method of making it more widely known.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what meetings he has had during 1947 with the committee of foreign airlines' representatives in the United Kingdom.

None, Sir.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say why he and the Minister did not take the opportunity of such a meeting which was afforded by the luncheon at the Savoy Hotel recently?

Because I am a trade unionist, and I hope I shall always remember that fact.

Is not the hon. Member one of His Majesty's Ministers?

Yes, Sir, and there is no conflict between the two.

In order to give greater elucidation to the House, will the Parliamentary Secretary state which he places first—his duty as one of His Majesty's Ministers, or his duty as a lesser trade unionist?

That conflict of interest never arises.

It did.

In view of the fact that the T.U.C. did not recognise this strike, how comes it that the Minister refused to attend?

I am grateful to the hon. Member for that supplementary question, which enables me to say that the Trade Union Congress was not involved in my decision in any shape or form; and they took no part by giving advice, instructions, or any contact in any way.