§ 23. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air what information he has about the projected air-mail route from Amsterdam to Batavia, Dutch East Indies, by way of British India; whether this mail service will make use of British aerodromes and air stations and, if so, to what extent; and whether the Australian government is expected to link up the Australian air service with this Dutch air line, thus completing an air service for mails from Europe to Australia?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)I have no knowledge of any specific official proposals by the Netherlands authorities for a Dutch air service to Batavia through British India, and I am not, therefore, in a position to make any statement in the matter.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this project is in course of preparation and that unless he hurries up the Dutch will be, flying to the Dutch East Indies before we fly to India?
§ Sir S. HOAREI am certainly trying to get the line to India into operation as soon as I can. As to the hon. and gallant Member's question, I cannot add anything to what I have said. I have received no official intimation.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHave we no Air Attaché in the Netherlands or in any contiguous country who provides the right hon. Gentleman with information?
§ Sir S. HOAREI should have thought that the first step must come from the Government concerned.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYSurely, the right hon. Gentleman must get information from his Air Attaché of important projects like this, which affect the Empire?