§ 35. Mrs. TATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of unscheduled landings, due to lack of fuel, made by Imperial Airways machines operating during 1934 on the London-Egypt, Egypt-South Africa, and Egypt-India-Singapore routes, respectively?
§ Sir P. SASSOONImperial Airways arrangements include provision for stops 441 for refuelling, when occasion requires, at aerodromes or landing grounds not scheduled in their published time-tables. No record exists at the Air Ministry of such landings, which present no abnormal feature in operating conditions which necessitate them. I am informed that there were no forced landings due to lack of fuel in 1934.
§ Mrs. TATEIn view of the very serious consequences that landings due to lack of fuel may have, would it not be advisable that these landings should in future be scheduled?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThese are not in any way forced landings.
§ 37. Mr. SIMMONDSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air under what terms Imperial Airways, Limited, have agreed to surrender their privileged position on air lines north of the line London-Berlin?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe Board of Imperial Airways agreed readily, and without conditions of any sort, to waive their contractual rights in the area in question. They further undertook to co-operate fully with any new undertaking in this field to which His Majesty's Government might decide to give financial assistance, and I should like to take this opportunity of paying a tribute to their public-spirited attitude.
§ Mr. SIMMONDSDoes this mean that Imperial Airways may still compete with the subsidised companies on this particular route, although not themselves receiving a subsidy?
§ Sir P. SASSOONImperial Airways will co-operate with them if necessary, but they have waived their rights to subsidy over this route, as I said in my original answer.
§ Mr. BELLENGERHave they promised that they will not fly over this route in competition with this new subsidised company?
§ Sir P. SASSOONWell, they have surrendered their privileges over this route, so why should they wish to run a service?
§ Mr. GARRO - JONESHas the surrender been accomplished without any compensation whatever?
§ Sir P. SASSOONYes, Sir.
§ Mr. GARRO-JONESIs the surrender irrevocable, or can they change their minds and compete with the new company, or is it merely in the discretion of the Ministry?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThere is nothing mysterious behind it at all, and there is no reason why the hon. Member should be so full of suspicion.
§ Mr. GARRO-JONESIs the surrender contractually irrevocable? Can the right hon. Gentleman answer that?
§ Mr. PERKINSDid the right hon. Gentleman not say last week that Imperial Airways were starting services with Deutsche Lufthause and sending over two pilots to prospect the facilities for night flying?
§ Sir P. SASSOONYes, but only between Croydon and Berlin.