§ 38. Mr. ALBERYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what financial assistance, if any, is being given by the Government towards the expenses of surveying an airship route to Canada, via the Faröe Islands and Greenland; and if he can give the House any information concerning this proposal?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEIn answer to the first part of the question, no financial assistance is being given, but at the request of the organisers the Air Ministry is putting the services of an officer of the Royal Air Force at the disposal of the expedition and is also lending certain meteorological instruments. I am informed that the Admiralty and the War Office are lending, respectively, a naval medical officer and an Army signals officer, as well as chronometers, wireless equipment and certain other instruments. As regards the second part of the question, the object of the expedition is to make a survey and collect the necessary meteorological and geographical data with a view to determining the practicability of the establishment of a regular air route between Europe and Canada, via Greenland.
§ Mr. ALBERYWas any application for assistance made to the Government?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI do not think I can answer that question without notice.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYThe reference to "air route" does not, I presume, exclude a sea-plane or flying-boat route? This is not confined only to airship possibilities?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEIt is not particularly confined to airships.
§ Sir A. POWNALLHas the hon. Member heard whether the Canadian Government are going to grant any subsidy or to give any help financially?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI cannot give the hon. Member any particulars from any knowledge of my own with regard to subsidies or financial support, but the whole matter is being considered on both sides, on this side and the Canadian side.
§ Sir A. POWNALLBy the Canadian Government?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEYes.