HC Deb 15 July 1936 vol 314 cc2033-4
44. Mr. SIMMONDS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the French Government has made the granting of permits to operate certain air services between this country and France conditional on adherence to a scale of minimum fares and freight rates: whether this scale is applied to all companies operating between the two countries; and whether His Majesty's Government is in any way a party to this arrangement?

Sir P. SASSOON

With the exception of Imperial Airways Limited, British air transport companies operating to France have hitherto done so under short-term permits issued by the French Air Ministry, and I am aware that, in the case of the London-Paris service, the French Air Ministry made it a condition of extending the permits of those companies beyond 31st March, 1936, that they should conclude an agreement regarding timetables and rates with Air France. I may add that this arrangement did not apply to all companies operating between the two countries, but only to those which operated between London and Paris under short term permits. His Majesty's Government are not a party to the arrangement, although the correspondence necessarily took place through official channels.

Mr. SIMM0NDS

In view of the discrimination against certain companies, can my right hon. Friend say whether His Majesty's Government approve of this conduct on the part of the French Government?

Sir P. SASSOON

It is certainly not for us to approve or disapprove of the policy of the French Government, who are perfectly entitled to make conditions about air lines running over their territory.

Mr. SIMM0NDS

Will His Majesty's Government make similar stipulations with regard to French services coming to Britain?

Sir P. SASSOON

The Air France service is the only one which operates here.