BRITAIN'S AIRWAYS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 148, 20 December 1945, Page 7

BRITAIN'S AIRWAYS

NATIONALISATION STEPS

LONDON, December 19. The first steps to nationalise Britain's airways on the lines already indicated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation are outlined tonight in a White Paper. It is expected that the necessary legislation may go through Parliament next summer.

In the meantime, the White Paper says, no delay will be countenanced in starting British air services. Interim arrangements have been made, but the governing factor is the supply of aircraft. The Government proposes to set up three statutory corporations. The first, the existing British Overseas Airways, will manage the routes from the United Kingdom to all countries of the British Commonwealth; to the United States, and to the Far East. The second corporation will operate internal air lines in the United Kingdom and the services to Europe. The third will run between the United Kingdom and South Africa.

A correspondent says this means that three private companies—Railways Air Services, Allied Airways, and British South American Airways (formed by the shipping companies)—will be taken over by the Government. Compensation will be paid for physical assets, but not for goodwill.