HC Deb 30 June 1932 vol 267 cc2060-1

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

Mr. TINKER

I want to ask a question of which I gave notice on Friday, but to which the right hon. Gentleman could not reply then, because he had exhausted his right to speak in the Debate. My question is this: If the House agree to this Bill, how long will it be before it comes into use? Shall we have to wait for all the other Powers to ratify the Convention, or, if a certain number of them ratify it, will those who have done so then go on with the Bill? Unless we have some definite understanding, it may be a long time before any good comes from the Bill, but, if those Powers who have ratified the Convention can put it into use, some benefit will accrue immediately.

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)

The Convention requires that it should be ratified by at least five of the principal sovereign States. Four sovereign States have already ratified it, and we also are prepared to do so now, so that there is every reason to hope that it will be put into operation with the least possible delay.

Clauses 2 (Provisions as to actions against High Contracting Parties who undertake carriage by air), 3 (Application of this Act to colonies, protectorates, etc.), 4 (Provision for applying Act to carriage by air which is not international), 5 (Provisions as to Orders in Council) and 6 (Short title) ordered to stand part of the Bill.

First and Second Schedules agreed to.

Preamble agreed to.

Bill reported, without Amendment; read the Third time, and passed, without Amendment.