§ 19. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Cairo-Karachi air mail line is still suspended; whether an alternative route is being considered which will not pass over Persian territory; and, if so, which route is under consideration?
§ Sir P. SASSOONAs regards the first part of the question, the Cairo-Basrah section of the route is in full operation, but the operation of the Basrah-Karachi section is still suspended. As regards the remainder of the question, a route 1988 which follows the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf and runs thence via Baluchistan to Karachi is under consideration.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIf there is no chance of coming to an agreement with the Persian Government, can we push on with the alternative route at once, so that the advantages of this very important air mail route are not lost?
§ Sir P. SASSOONWe are losing no time in effecting that object.
§ Colonel DAYAre any negotiations still pending for the opening-up of this route?
§ Sir P. SASSOONCertainly.