§ 54. Lieut.-Colonel GAULTasked the Secretary of State for Air the total number of passenger aeroplanes operated by British companies that are in regular use at the present time; the average number of passengers carried annually by these services; and the total number of aerodromes available for the use of civil aviation in the United Kingdom?
§ Sir P. SASSOONOn the assumption that the information which my hon. and gallant; Friend requires under the first part of his question is the number of passenger aeroplanes which have current certificates of airworthiness, are owned by British companies, and are operated in or from Great Britain on air transport work, taxi work or pleasure flights, the answer is 52. As regards the second part 109,569 passengers were reported as carried by these companies in this country or between this country and the Continent in 1927; the average for three years 423 has been 95,316. As regards the last part of the question, there are in this country 85 licensed civil aerodromes and, in addition, 43 Royal Air Force aerodromes are available in emergency.
§ Lieut.-Colonel GAULTDoes not the hon. Baronet think that greater help and encouragement would be given to civil aviation in the United Kingdom by pro viding the necessary means for aircraft by a more comprehensive system of aerodromes throughout the country?
§ Sir P. SASSOONWe are doing our best. We ask the great towns to introduce aerodromes.