§ Motion made, and Question proposed,
§ "That a sum, not exceeding £880,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the Expense of Civil Aviation, which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1922."
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThere is one point of detail that I should like to raise on this Vote. Last year an enterprising civilian started an air service from my constituency to Holland, carry- 2177 ing dyes, articles of clothing, and things that were of value, but of very little weight. He made several successful trips and it looked very promising. Then the authorities made him go to Croydon each time for Customs examination. They said they could not examine his machine for contraband and that sort of thing anywhere near the Humber, though there were one or two aerodromes up there. Flying from the Hook to Croydon, and then up again, took away all the profit on the trip. I should like to know if the right hon. Gentleman could look into the matter, because it has killed the service now, and whether some better Customs arrangements could not be made. The only air route to this country is not across the Channel. There are other routes, and it is only a very short time before the North Sea flight will be practicable, and it seems a pity that it should have been turned down because they could not make Customs arrangements.
§ Question put, and agreed to.