GERMAN AIRSHIP FLIGHT (BRITISH OPPOSITION). (Hansard, 27 February 1929)

§ 10. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether permission has been sought for the German airship Graf Zeppelin to fly over Egypt, Palestine, or other British-controlled territory; and what answer has been given?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON
The German Ministry for Foreign Affairs inquired unofficially of His Majesty's Embassy at Berlin on 13th February as to the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards a proposed flight of the airship "Graf Zeppelin." After consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Air and His Majesty's High Commissioner, Cairo, I instructed Sir Horace Rumbold on 16th February to reply to these unofficial representations that His Majesty's Government were opposed to the proposed flight.

§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY
What are the reasons for apposing this flight?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON
It was quite understood between the Egyptian Government and ourselves, and indeed it was mentioned when the Treaty with Sarwat Pasha was under discussion, that foreign aviation should not take place over Egypt without an agreement between the two parties.

§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY
Was not this flight experimental and exploratory? It was not the intention to establish a regular line.

§ Captain GARRO-JONES
Does the right hon. Gentleman think whatever evil consequences could follow from allowing this flight are comparable to the great damage done to German and British relations owing to refusing to allow the flight to take place? When is the Foreign Office going to stop this pettifogging attitude?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON
I think all foreign countries perfectly well understand that flights cannot take place except by mutual agreement between the Egyptian Government and ourselves.

§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY
Was the proposal to establish a regular line, or was it only for a casual flight for scientific and exploratory purposes?

§ Mr. SPEAKER
That matter does not arise out of this question.

§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY
With very great respect, may I submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that, in exploring this matter of the answer, it is necessary to know whether a regular line was to be established or whether it was to be an experimental flight.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
This is not a time to explore, but a time for receiving answers to questions.