asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will now consider taking steps to relieve the British Overseas Airways Corporation of their obligations in regard to the accumulated deficit, in view of the finding of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries in paragraph 328 of its recent Report; and if he will make a statement.

Perhaps the hon. Member would await the statement I hope to make in any debate there may be on the Select Committee's Report.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we have waited for a long while, and can he this afternoon give us a little encouragement and an indication of what his attitude is? Does he agree with the Select Committee's contention that there can be no financial reality in B.O.A.C.'s returns till this legacy of the past is removed? Does he think it must be removed at some time or another? Does he not think that now is the right time to do so?

I will, naturally, consider carefully the views the hon. Member has expressed, but, frankly, I think that these are very complex matters not easily dealt with by Question and Answer. When the time comes to debate the Select Committee's Report, this will be the time at which to express the Government's view.