§ 79. Sir G. PENNYasked the Under- Secretary of State for Air whether he will take steps to see that each political party is equally represented on a percentage basis in the proposed flight in R101?
§ Mr. MONTAGUENo, Sir. I do not want to deal with airships in any party spirit. I think, if I may say so, that the ballot which was held for places between the Members who put their names down was the fairest way of deciding the matter. Actually, I understand that the result worked out not very differently from that which the hon. Member's suggestion would give.
§ Sir G. PENNYDoes not the hon. Member realise that if there was any disaster and there was an uneven proportion of parties represented in the flight, it might cause very unfair by-elections, cause a great strain on election funds, and upset the happy position in which parties find themselves in this House at the present time?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI do not think that anyone in this House can command fate.
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREWhat redress will a constituency have whose Member is unsuccessful in the ballot? Will there be a second ballot?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI believe that the question of a second trip is under consideration.
§ 80. Mr. MALONEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether airship R 101 can carry sufficient fuel to fly from England to India in still air without refuelling en route; and, if so, what passenger or freight loan can she carry?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe Air Ministry's published programme has from the very first provided for the operation of the Indian airship route with an intermediate halt in Egypt for refuelling. It is for that reason that a mooring tower base has been erected at Ismailia. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.