§ 53. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the possibility of sending British assistance to the rescue of the crews of the Italian airship "Italia" was considered; what are the reasons why one of His Majesty's aeroplane carriers was not available; and why no large flying boats could be sent to assist in the rescue operations?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)Yes, Sir. The question of the possible co-operation of British service aircraft in the rescue of the crew of the "Italia" was very carefully considered by the Air Ministry in consultation with the Admiralty. It was reluctantly decided, having regard to the icebound condition of the sea in the neighbourhood, that there was no likelihood of effective aid being afforded at 700 this juncture by the Royal Air Force, either by means of aircraft based on a carrier or by flying boats. I may add that none the less I have placed myself in communication with the Italian authorities some time since and invited them if now, or at a later stage, there should appear to be anything which the Royal Air Force could usefully do to assist in the rescue operations to call upon us without hesitation.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman say why it is that small nations like Sweden and Norway can assist in a work of humanity like this, and why we did not send an aircraft carrier to Spitzbergen with our admirable machines to help in finding the lost explorers?
§ Sir S. HOAREI think that the hon. and gallant Member will at once see the difference between Scandinavian countries close to the scene of the disaster and this country, and there is also the fact that the northern countries have machines equipped for landing upon ice and operating in Polar circles, while we have not.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCould not our flying boats have reached Spitzbergen by way of Norway within a couple of days?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir. I am afraid the flying boat could only land in the open waters, and the type of flying boats that we possess would not have been suitable for taking part in operations of this kind.