68. Captain BENNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give particulars of the correspondence that has passed between the Conference of Ambassadors and the German Government relative to the restriction of German aviation?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIn May, 1922, the German Government accepted the nine rules drawn up by the Allies for distinguishing between military aircraft which, by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany is forbidden to possess, and civil aircraft. On the 15th March, 1924, the German Government addressed a note to the Ambassadors' Conference pressing for the modification of these rules on the ground of the progress made in aviation since 1922. The Allied experts examined the matter very thoroughly, and, after hearing the arguments put forward verbally by the German experts in support of their case, unanimously recommended that certain modifications should be made. 30 The new rules drafted by the Allied experts were approved by the Ambassadors' Conference, and notified to the German Government on the 24th of June last. The most important modifications are the increase of maximum speed at a height of 2,000 metres from 170 to 180 kilometres per hour, and the increase of useful load from 600 to 900 kilogrammes inclusive of crew and instruments.
Captain BENNWill these negotiations lead to freedom for alien aircraft to fly over German territory?
Captain BENNIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this is one of the greatest difficulties standing in the way of European commercial aviation?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware that there are difficulties in the way, and I am also aware that the competent authorities of His Majesty's Government have been directing their attention to removing those difficulties, but I am unable at the present time to answer the supplementary question of the hon. and gallant Member.