§ 25. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air how many persons are employed in the inland water transport in Iraq; how many of these are British or other Europeans; what is the annual cost, of this service; and by whom this cost is defrayed?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)The answer to the first and second parts of the question is 81 British, 481 Indians and 113 Iraqis, total 675. As regards the third part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ilford (Sir F. Wise) on 28th June. As regards the last part of the question, the cost is repaid to Air Votes from the Vote for Middle Eastern Services.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs this being run at a profit?
§ Sir S. HOAREIt is difficult to say whether it is being run at a profit or not. It is being run mainly for the carriage of 1209 Air Force supplies. In order to compare the cost of water transport and railway transport, I am making further inquiries.