27. Captain BALFOURasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has obtained any report from the Bahamas Government with regard to their granting to Pan-American Airways, receiving a subsidy from the United States of America Government, a further subsidy in respect of a flying-boat service to Nassau; if he will inquire whether Pan-American Airways are to be allowed the sole right to construct and use a slipway for aircraft in Nassau Harbour; 995 and whether the use of these facilities is now forbidden to British aircraft landing in this British territory?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI was consulted by the Governor of the Bahamas and approval was given for the payment of a subsidy to Pan-American Airways since it was clear that no British company was then in a position to provide equivalent services on the same terms. The contract concluded with Pan-American Airways is for a period of three years only and does not confer upon them any monopolistic rights as against companies of other nationalities. It was stipulated, when approval was given for the conclusion of the contract, that any landing facilities provided by Pan-American Airways must be available, on payment of appropriate fees to be approved by the Governor, for use by any other aircraft.
Captain BALFOURIf I bring to the right hon. Gentleman's attention a case where a British aircraft was refused the facilities, will he investigate it?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERMost certainly.