§ 49. Sir WILFRID SUGDENasked the Secretary of State for Air what steps he is taking to give commercial facilities to civilian air travel on an equal scale to that given in France, Germany, and the United States of America?
§ Sir S. HOAREI am not clear as to the exact information which my hon. Friend desires, but if he is referring to aerodrome facilities, wireless, meteorological, and other ancillary services for the assistance of commercial flying, I am able to state that this country is not, in these respects, behind the other three countries mentioned. If, on the other hand, he is alluding to "subsidies," whilst France and Germany subsidise commercial aviation on an extensive scale, no subsidies are, so far as I am aware, given to air transport companies in the United States of America. I may add that my hon. Friend will find some useful information on the subject in the "Annual Report on the Progress of Civil Aviation" for 1925–26, which will shortly be laid before the House.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs not our civilian air traffic far ahead of that of the United States of America?
§ Sir S. HOAREIt is difficult to make comparisons. There is no civilian air traffic, strictly speaking, in the United States of America. There is only a postal service. I would rather not be drawn into making any comparisons.