§ 23. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the proposal to increase the 1258 subsidy to Imperial Airways, Limited, in order to enable the company to fly the Indian section of the London-Australia air-mail route has been considered again; what would be the amount of extra subsidy required; and whether any objection is raised to such a course by any other Government?
§ 21. Mr. MANDERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what arrangements are contemplated for the carrying on of Imperial Airways' service to India and beyond, in view of the decision to suspend the development of Indian civil aviation?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI would refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India on Monday last, from which it will be seen that the organisation at Karachi will be maintained for the operation of the England-India service and that the service from Karachi to Delhi now operated by Imperial Airways will be continued until the expiry of the present charter. It would be premature to make any further statement as to the future pending a final decision by the Indian Government with regard to the operation of an Indian State Air Service across India.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYThe hon. Gentleman has not really answered my question. Has the question of our paying the subsidy to Imperial Airways been reconsidered in view of the need for economy in India, and may I ask him to answer the last part of my question whether any objection has been raised?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe answer to the last point is no. So far as consideration is concerned, we have considered all aspects of the question, including the need for economy in this country.
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman answer the other part of Question 23 as to the amount of the extra subsidy required?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe hon. Member is able to put down a question on that.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIt is on the Paper.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYI must really ask for a reply. How can we get answers to questions that are down? 1259 I ask for a definite sum, I know that it is available, and how can I get it? There is nothing confidential about it.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe main part of the two questions has to deal with what has happened in India in regard to civil aviation. I admit that the question asked about the amount of the extra subsidy, and I will do my best to let both hon. Members know.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLOn a point of Order. Information on the subject being of importance, should it not be circulated and not sent only to the two hon. Members?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEOn the Estimates I gave full information on the subject.