HC Deb 19 December 1928 vol 223 cc3009-10
54. Mr. MALONE

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether an agreement has yet been reached between the Imperial Airways and the Cobham-Blackburn air lines for a trans-African air service; and whether he will publish the terms of this agreement?

Sir P. SASSOON

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member for Anglesey (Sir R. Thomas) on 10th December and to which he has at present nothing to add. As regards the second part, I am not in a position to say whether or in what form the agreement, which will be a commercial arrangement between the two companies, will be pub- lished. I may add that if it is decided to subsidise the service in question from public funds, the House will, of course, be informed of the terms of any agreement, to this effect which it may be proposed to make between the Government on the one hand and the joint interests concerned on the other, as has been done in the case of the service between London and Karachi which is to be brought into operation next spring.

Mr. MALONE

What is the reason for the continued delay?

Sir P. SASSOON

There is no delay at all. The two interests concerned have only just conic to an arrangement.