§ 30. Brigadier-General NATIONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that, by reason of their subsidy, Imperial Airways, Limited, is competing with private unsubsidised charter companies at rates which, without subsidy, are unprofitable and hamper private enterprise; and whether he proposes to take steps to stop this unfair competition?
§ Sir VICTOR WARRENDER (Comptroller of the Household)I have been asked to reply. Imperial Airways' charges for charter flights are calculated on an economic basis, and I have no evidence to support my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion that this company is competing unfairly with private unsubsidised charter companies.
§ 31. Brigadier-General NATIONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, what actual amount of subsidy is paid to Imperial Airways, Limited; and whether that subsidy is for the sole purpose of developing air routes and regular Empire and foreign passenger services, or for what other purposes?
§ Sir V. WARRENDERThe subsidy provided in Air Estimates for the current financial year amounts to £473,000, of which £120,000 is covered by contributions from Dominion and Colonial Governments. The company is subsidised for the operation of efficient and regular air services within Europe and on the main Empire air routes for the transport of passengers, mail and freight.