§ 41. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can report any progress in the negotiations with the German Government for permission to fly from London to Praque via Cologne; if he is aware that the Czechoslavakian aviation interests are negotiating with a Dutch company for an air line from Prague to Amsterdam; and what steps he is taking to expedite the establishment of the British air line to Prague?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)As regards the first and last parts of the question, negotiations in connection with the proposed establishment of an air line to Prague are at present in progress between Imperial Airways Limited and the Czechoslavakian authorities and until they are nearer completion it would be premature to reopen with the German Government the question of permission for a Cologne-Prague air service. As regards the second part, I have seen an announcement in the Press but have no official information on the subject at present.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Baronet aware that this matter has been held up for three years with the German Government, and will he seek help from the Foreign Office to have these restrictions on our Air service removed?
§ Sir S HOAREI think that the hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. The negotiations are between the Prague authorities and the Imperial Airways Company. It is not a question of Government intervention.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not a fact that the German Government refused to allow our aeroplanes to fly to Prague over their territory, and that they held us up in that way before?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir; that is not the obstacle. The obstacle is in the details of the arrangements between the Prague authorities and the Imperial Airways Company, and as soon as they are removed I am ready once again to take up the other question with the German Government.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIn the meantime, is there anything the right hon. Gentleman can do to assist in these negotiations, as he will be the first to admit that Prague is very much the centre of the air from this point of view?
§ Sir S. HOAREIt is a question of money. Anything I can do I will do. That is the obstacle.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINHow much do you want?