HC Deb 14 May 1934 vol 289 cc1458-9
54. Mr. SIMMONDS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of regular night air services operated at present by Germany and by this country?

Sir VICTOR WARRENDER (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household)

I have been asked to reply. There are seven German night air services, which are mostly internal and for the carriage of mail and freights only. As regards this country, owing to the shorter distances to be traversed, there is not the same need for purely night air services, and none have so far been developed, but, following on the provision of flood-lighting and other apparatus at certain stations, a considerable amount of night flying is carried out on our Imperial air services.

Mr. SIMMONDS

In view of the very serious position with regard to night air services and the effect which this must have on national defence, can my hon. Friend say that this position will speedily be altered for the better?

Sir V. WARRENDER

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down that question. He can hardly expect me to reply to it without notice.