§ 66. Mr. BANFIELDasked the Postmaster-General the relative times taken by letters sent from this country to Shanghai by British air route, Dutch air route, French air route, via Siberia, and via Canada, respectively?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Walter Womersley)The normal time of transmission to Shanghai by the weekly British air service to Hong Kong, and from Canton to Shanghai by the Chinese internal air service, is 12 days; by the twice weekly surface route via Siberia 16 or 17 days, and via Canada between 29 and 34 days. Neither the Dutch nor the French Post Office has hitherto offered a mail service by air throughout to Shanghai.
§ 68. Mr. LEWISasked the Postmaster-General the financial terms and the period of duration of the contract entered into with British Airways for the carriage of air mails to Scandinavia?
§ Sir W. WOMERSLEYIt would not be in the public interest to disclose the financial arrangements made with British Airways for the carriage of air mails to Scandinavia. The agreement is due to terminate on 31st March, 1939.
§ Sir W. WOMERSLEYCertainly, until 31st March, 1939.
§ 70. Mr. LEWISasked the Postmaster-General upon what date negotiations were commenced with British Airways with a view to a contract for the carriage of air mails to Scandinavia?
§ Sir W. WOMERSLEYFollowing a number of preliminary inquiries initiated, I understand, in August, 1935, and in pursuance of the recommendations of the Inter-departmental Committee on International Air Communications, negotiations with British Airways, Limited, for the carriage of air mails to Scandinavia were commenced on 25th October, 1935.
§ Mr. HOLDSWORTHWas any other firm allowed to tender for the contract?
§ Sir W. WOMERSLEYI would refer the hon. Member to an answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. Lewis) on Tuesday.