HC Deb 29 May 1935 vol 302 cc1112-3
15. Mr. SIMMONDS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether His Majesty's Government approve the in auguration of new European air routes by Imperial Airways, Limited, while, on the plea of shortage of aircraft, they omit to complete the air link on the Empire routes between Paris and Brindisi?

Sir P. SASSOON

The loads to be carried on the main Empire air routes are, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, considerably greater than those on the new London-Budapest service, which he presumably has in mind. The latter ser vice can thus be operated by aircraft of a much smaller type than are required for the complete elimination of the Paris-Brindisi train journey

Mr. SIMMONDS

It is not a, fact that more passengers and mails could be carried between Paris and Brindisi if those aircraft which are now being 'used for the service to Budapest were utilised on that route?

Sir P. SASSOON

If the smaller air craft were transferred from the Budapest service, it would not be an economic proposition, as the weight of mails to be carried is so very much heavier.