British Civil Aircraft Policy “A Comic Opera”

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27883, 3 February 1956, Page 11

British Civil Aircraft Policy “A Comic Opera”

(Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, February 2. Lord Brabazon, a former Minister of Aircraft Production, and one of Brittain’s leading air pioneers, said last night that the story of the production of certain commercial British aircraft —the giant Brabazon, the Princess flying boat, and the Vickers-1000, was a “comic opera.” Speaking in the House of Lords, he said it was “a piece of ragtime forward planning which stands out as a supreme example of wastes of opportunity and money.” Lord Brabazon said the Brabazon project, which was named after him. was eventually scrapped after costing the taxpayers £12.000.000. The fate of the Princess flying-boats had been no hanpier. He also attacked the Ministry of

Supply for cancelling its order for the Vickers-1000 long-range aircraft—the only plane which could match the latest-planned American airliners. “I believe that the decision is much resented because it means we are givihg up being a competitor on the blue riband route of the world, which is from America to this country,” Lord Brabazon said. Lord Selkirk, speaking for the Government. said he thought Ix>rri Brabazon had been unnecessarily depressing. He claimed that Britain was in a stronger position than at any time in the last 10 years. She had the best medium aircraft—the Vickers Viscount—and next year she might well have the best longrange aircraft—the Bristol BritanniaLord Selkirk said.