§ 28. Mr. LESLIE BOYCEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the estimated cost per annum of maintaining and operating the Government air service in Tanganyika; the number of aeroplanes now in use and the number it is proposed to add to the service during the current year; and if he will consider whether the work for which these machines are required could be more efficiently and more economically carried out by the hiring of privately-owned machines as and when required?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Dr. Drummond Shiels)The aeroplanes owned by the Tanganyika Government are employed chiefly on air survey work. Expenditure incurred in connection with this work is included in the general expenditure of the Survey Department, and it is not possible, without reference to the Territory, to give any separate figures. Three aeroplanes are at present in use, while two more are to be brought into use during the present year. It has been shown by experience that the type 380 of air survey at present required in Tanganyika can be carried out more cheaply by the organisation established by the Government than by hiring commercial machines as and when required.
§ Mr. BOYCEWith regard to the suggestion that the services might be more efficiently and more economically carried on by private machines, will the hon. Member or his Noble Friend be prepared to receive representations on that point?
§ Dr. SHIELSYes, Sir, we are always prepared to receive representations; but I may say that the method of private machines has already been tried.