HC Deb 18 December 1929 vol 233 cc1396-7
54. Rear-Admiral SUETER

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is in a position to say what progress has been made in developing the Cairo-Cape air route?

Mr. MONTAGUE

The proposals for this service have been agreed in principle with the various Governments concerned and have also been accepted by Imperial Airways, Limited; and various preparatory details for the organising of the service are in hand. The survey party referred to in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hull Central (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 30th October has forwarded a first report, from which it appears that satisfactory arrangements have been made with regard to ground organisation within the Union of South Africa.

Mr. SMITHERS

Can the hon. Gentleman give us the latest news of the two officers on this route?

Mr. MONTAGUE

I am afraid that I cannot give any news at the moment.

Sir SAMUEL HOARE

When is it expected that the first section of the route will actually begin to be operated?

Mr. MONTAGUE

It is expected that it will begin to be operated in June, 1930, and the latter half about six months after that.