§ 15. Mr. SIMMONDS (for Mr. LYONS)asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can now intimate the date upon which the Paris-Brindisi rail journey will be eliminated from the regular Empire services of Imperial Airways?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe final elimination of the rail journey from Paris to Brindisi must wait on the augmentation of Imperial Airways present fleet, which has had new and heavy demands made upon it in recent months by the decision to duplicate the services to Calcutta and the Cape, which has been considered as the most urgent objective. I am hopeful, however, that it may be possible to organise an interim service by air from London to Brindisi by lighter aircraft, primarily for the carriage of mails, within the next few weeks.
§ Mr. SIMMONDSCan my right hon. Friend say whether all formalities between the French Government and the British Governemnt are now completed in this matter?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe conclusion of formalities is expected almost immediately.