§ 37. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Postmaster-General whether with a view to benefiting British commercial aviation, he will consider the possibility of making arrangements for despatching air-mail letters for the East by British machines as far as Karachi, to be there transferred into machines operating eastwards therefrom rather than permitting 1430 them to be carried in foreign machines over the whole route from England?
§ Sir K. WOODThe timetables of the British and foreign air services to the East do not coincide, and the adoption of my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion would increase the time of transmission of air mails for countries beyond India by four days. In view of the disadvantages which would thus result to British firms trading with the East I regret I cannot see my way to alter the present arrangements.
§ 38. Captain NORTHasked the Postmaster-General the amount of profit made by his Department in respect of airmail fees during each of the past 12 months; and whether he is aware that the present high charges on air-mail letters are hampering the development of such services?
§ Sir K. WOODMonthly figures of Air Mail receipts are not available, but the aggregate profit last year is estimated at £5,000 or rather less than 5 per cent. of the total receipts. This profit is wholly due to the depreciation of sterling in relation to gold but in any case I regret it would not justify a reduction of charges.
§ 42. Mr. CHALMERS (for Mr. HEPWORTH)asked the Postmaster-General if he will state to what extent profits obtained by his Department from British air-mail services have been allocated during the current year to subsidise foreign air-mail services; and whether it is intended to continue such practice?
§ Sir K. WOODThe profits on British air services are not used to subsidise foreign air services, and the second part of the question therefore does not arise.