§ 25. Mr. CRAVEN-ELLISasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the transfer of 534 acres from the Government of Nova Scotia to the Irish Transatlantic Corporation, Limited, conveniently situated to the Canadian Government seaplane base at Sydney, Nova Scotia, and the ice-free port of Louisburg, to be used as an airport in connection with the proposed North Atlantic air service; whether he is aware that by using alternative seaplane bases ice and fog-free conditions are available; and why, with these facilities available on British soil, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to put the American air terminal in a foreign country?
§ Sir P. SASSOONAs regards the first part of the question, the Air Ministry has been informed of the acquisition of a site in Nova Scotia by the Irish Transatlantic Corporation. As regards the second the possibility of alternative seaplane bases being used by Imperial Airways will not be ignored; it is indeed already the subject of close study. As regards the third part, the facilities available on British soil will be utilised, since the first regular port of call on the North American side will, it is contemplated, be in Newfoundland, where a landing affords the shortest crossing and saves 200 miles as compared with Nova Scotia. There are obvious advantages in continuing the service to the United States in order to secure a share in the traffic offered by that country.
§ Mr. CRAVEN-ELLISIs my right hon. Friend aware that the Pan-American Airways Company have already announced that in the agreement with Imperial Airways, there is a condition that the airport on the other side of the Atlantic shall be near New York?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI have not seen such an announcement.