§ 63. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether seeing the need for the establishment of an air service between London and the Irish Free State, he will communicate with the Free State Government and see whether an agreement can be arrived at between the two countries for the establishment of such a service?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Mr. Montague)My Noble Friend is fully in sympathy with the object, as I understand it, which the hon. and gallant Member has in view, but it does not appear that the circumstances are such as would justify any representations at the present time to His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State. The establishment of an air service between London and the Irish Free State would naturally be a matter of private enterprise, and any discussion between the two Governments, to be practical, should have reference to concrete proposals which had been put forward. No such proposals have been received by the Air Ministry.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYAs it is so very desirable, could the hon. Gentleman not make representations to Imperial Airways with a view to having all these lines to central Europe and other countries?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEAll these considerations are in the mind of the Minister.
§ Lieut-Commander KENWORTHYIs it quite right to say that it is a matter only of private enterprise when we subsidise these air lines?
§ Mr. EVERARDIs it not a fact that one of the difficulties in the way is that the Irish Free State has not provided any aerodromes?
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYYes, they have.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThere are plenty of them.