§ 1. Viscount SANDONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply is being made to the statement of the Afghan Ambassador at Constantinople criticising the British flights over Afghanistan?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Austen Chamberlain)There is no truth in the statement attributed to the Afghan Ambassador in Turkey that British aircraft, other than those engaged in the evacuation of foreigners from Kabul, are daily flying over Afghanistan. I may add that these aircraft—the aircraft which are evacuating persons—are flying with the full consent of the de facto authorities in Kabul.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs there any truth in the statement that for many months past British aeroplanes have been flying over Afghan territory?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, there is no truth in that statement.
§ VISCOUNT SANDONDid I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that he was taking any action in regard to the speech of the Afghan Ambassador in Constantinople?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. I have not thought it necessary to take any action.