§ 53. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Secretary of State for Air whether, following the successful flights which have been and are being made from North to South Africa, and vice versa, it is the intention of his Department to develop further aviation in that continent; and, if so, whether he can give the House any outline of future plans?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI am obliged to my hon. Friend for raising this question. As I stated when introducing the Air Estimates, I am most anxious to further by all possible means the development of Empire air communications. Something has already been done in this direction in Africa. Proposals are under consideration for the establishment of an air service from Khartum to Kisumu, and I understand that a recent conference of Colonial Governors at Nairobi approved in principle the granting of financial assistance for an experimental service on this route. The question of the establishment of a regular service, with an extension in due course to Cairo, will depend upon the result of the experiment and the prospects of adequate financial support. The development of aviation in the Union of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia is, of course, primarily a matter for the Governments concerned, but I propose to take the opportunity afforded by the Imperial Conference next October to discuss with the Dominion representatives the question of Imperial air routes and their future development.
§ Lieut.- Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask the hon. and gallant Member whether there will be a regular plan laid before the Imperial Conference for this service?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI should imagine so. The whole matter will be thrashed out