§ 42. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has received representations in opposition to his agreement with the prospective company to be known as the National Flying Services, Limited, from light aeroplane clubs or their representatives, from any existing commercial flying enterprises, or from aircraft industry or their representatives; and whether he still intends to proceed with the scheme?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)As regards the first part of the question, the Air Ministry has received a few inquiries relating to the operation of the scheme, including in some instances expressions of anxiety as to its possible reactions. My right hon. Friend has satisfied himself that no existing interests will be prejudicially affected, and that, as he explained in his reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Enfield (Colonel Applin) on 6th February, manifest advantages will accrue both to the State and the general public, if the project meets with success. He therefore certainly proposes to proceed with the scheme.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs the hon. Baronet aware that I asked, not whether he was satisfied that this was going to be a good thing or not, but whether he had received representations in opposition to this scheme, first, from flying clubs, secondly, from existing commercial flying enterprises, and, thirdly, from the aircraft industry or their representatives? In the first case, he answered in the affirmative, but in the second two cases he evaded the question. Can I have an answer to the last two parts?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI did not evade any question at all, and, if the hon. and 785 gallant Member had listened to my reply, he would have heard what I said, which was that we had received a few inquiries that expressed anxiety about the scheme, but my right hon. Friend had fully satisfied himself that no interests existing to-day would be prejudicially affected by it.