§ 6 and 7. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for India (1) how far the Indian air mail is carried by air beyond Karachi; and whether and, if so, when it is proposed to extend it;
(2) whether British civil aeroplanes with mails to Burma, the Straits Settlements and Australia are permitted to fly across India; and whether he can state the cause of the delay in establishing this service?
§ Mr. BENNThe intention is that Imperial Airways should carry the air mails from the United Kingdom to Karachi and that the Government of India should run their own service across India. As regards the extension to Australia, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Air, on 20th January. The service is at present in operation between the United Kingdom and Delhi only. The delay in extending it across India has been due partly to technical difficulties in establishing the ground organisation across Burma, partly to financial stringency and partly to changes of plans. The extension to Calcutta is expected to be in operation by the end of this year.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it Imperial Airways who are carrying that part of the line which goes beyond Karachi to Delhi?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDo I understand that there are difficulties in the matter of landing grounds in the extension of the line beyond Delhi to Calcutta?
§ Mr. BENNI have stated the reasons for the delay. If my hon. and gallant Friend desires detailed information as to the reasons generally stated, I shall be happy to supply them.
§ Sir SAMUEL HOAREIs it not an unfortunate thing that, in spite of difficulties, the French and Dutch lines should be flying across India before the British lines, and will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to expedite the British Flying Service between Karachi and Calcutta?
§ Mr. BENNYes, and I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that the French and Dutch flights have not taken place under the conditions which he envisages as applying to any British concern. In point of fact, the flying done has been done under the control of the Government of India.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it not the case that the French and the Dutch were on the scene before the present Government came into office, and when the Tory Government were in office?