asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what types of aircraft are operated by British South American Airways Corporation; what is the cost of operation per passenger mile of each of these types of aircraft; and how these costs compare with those per passenger mile of the Constellation and the Skymaster.

The types of aircraft at present operated by the British South American Airways Corporation are the York and Lancastrian. As regards the second and third parts of the Question, the cost of operating a particular aircraft is dependent on a large number of factors, which at present are subject to variation owing to the initiation and development of services. It would, therefore, be misleading to quote any estimate based on the limited experience so far acquired by the corporation. Consequently, it is not possible at this time to deal fairly with this issue, which involves a hypothetical comparison between different types of aircraft, within the scope of a Parliamentary Question and answer.

Surely in arriving at a decision as to which type of aircraft to use on a particular route His Majesty's Government make up their minds which are likely to be the most economical; and surely there must be some material on which they make their choice, which the House and the country might hear?

Before my hon. Friend answers—

Hon. Members:

Answer.

If the hon. Member wishes to ask a supplementary question he is quite entitled to do so.

I wanted to ask my right hon. Friend to keep another point in mind before he answers the supplementary question put by the hon. Member for Mid-Bedford (Mr. Lennox-Boyd). When he considers the economic aspect, will he also consider the safety of the passengers who are using the planes?

Yes, Sir. In reply to the second supplementary question, that is always before my noble Friend's mind. In reply to the first, in the provision of aircraft for given routes much depends on the availability of aircraft, and that is as big a determining factor as any other.

How does the Parliamentary Secretary imagine the corporations do their business if they have no idea what are their costs of operation?

The corporations have an idea of their costs of operation. The Question asks for a comparison between one type of aircraft and another. So far as Skymasters are concerned, none of the corporations are operating them; so far as Constellations are concerned, B.O.A.C. are the only corporation operating them, and for a period of their operation those aircraft were grounded, for reasons which are well known.

Will not the hon. Gentleman answer the Question, which is: What is the cost of operation per passenger mile of each of these types of aircraft? "That is what we on this side of the House want to know. What is the cost of operation? Cannot the Parliamentary Secretary give us those figures?

So far as the costs of operation of Yorks and Lancastrians by British South American Airways Corporation are concerned, it would be unfair to give such figures at the present time because of the short period in which the corporation has been established, and the number of factors which come into play in the giving of operation costs.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that at the time of the passing of the Civil Aviation Act we were assured that these corporations would be run, and accounts published, according to the best business standards; and is he not aware that any private company which conducted its affairs in this way would rapidly lose the confidence of its shareholders?

A number, in fact many, private companies do not give any information at all.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.