§ 48. Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can state to what firm the contract for air mail services in the Union of South Africa is to be allocated; and whether, if no decision has yet been reached upon this matter, he will urge upon the Government of South Africa the advisability of ensuring that the contract is not placed in foreign quarters unless no other alternative service can be supplied from Empire sources?
§ 49. Lord APSLEYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, as the contract of the South African Government with Union Airways for the carriage of air mails in South Africa expires on 26th August, and as that company has now been purchased by the German Junkers Company, representations can be made to the Government of South Africa suggesting to them the advisability of deferring any decision to renew the contract with that company until every opportunity has been given to Empire-controlled companies to submit alternative schemes?
§ 50. Mr. JOELasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any information as to the proposal that an air mail contract should be awarded to a German-controlled company by the Government of South Africa; and if he will represent to the Government of South Africa the advisability of ascertain- 1795 ing whether a satisfactory service could equally be provided by a South African or British company?
The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)I understand that His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa have stipulated that the company Undertaking these air services in the Union should be one registered in South Africa, and that various proposals put forward on this basis are now under their consideration. I do not think that the matter is one on which I could appropriately make representations, but His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom naturally hope that any such company will so far as possible employ machines and material originating in the British Commonwealth.