asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many aircrew personnel have left the employment of B.O.A.C., B.E.A. and B.S.A.A., respectively, since 12th September, 1946; and what proportion this represents of the total of such employees.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many skilled aircraft maintenance workers have left the employment of B.O.A.C., B.E.A. and B.S.A.A., respectively, since 1st September, 1946: and what proportion this represents of the total of such employees.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to what extent there is unnecessary competition between B.E.A. and

engine cuts out, the other engine is capable of keeping the aircraft airborne?

The assumption in the latter supplementary question cannot be accepted as the reason. In reply to the previous supplementary, any statistics are likely to be misleading. For instance, had this Question been asked at 31st December, a very different ratio of passengers carried per accident would have been the case.

Following is the reply:

B.O.A.C. for personnel, in that B.E.A. use their public funds to take key personnel of long service from B.O.A.C.; and how many employees of B.O.A.C. have within the last year become employees of B.E.A.

As I said to the hon. and gallant Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox) on 22nd January last, I regard detailed information about staff matters as falling within the field of management, on which in accordance with the Statute the three airways Corporations are not subject to Ministerial directions. I regret that I do not think it right in these circumstances to invoke Section 22 (6), of the Statute to acquire the information necessary to answer this Question.

While always anxious to limit the field of Ministerial intervention, could we have an assurance that the Corporations will be encouraged to publish these figures in their annual reports?

That will be considered, Sir.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the final responsibility rests on the Minister and his Department, and whatever the figures are, even if they are large, will the Parliamentary Secretary reconsider this matter and inform the House and the public how many are leaving?

No, Sir. Whether a man accepts a job, rejects a job or leaves a job depends very largely upon the rate of wage paid, the conditions under which he works, and whether he likes the job or not. The conditions are entirely matters between employer and employee, and there is well established machinery for dealing with those matters.

Does the Minister not consider that if the operations