§ 57. Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the policy outlined in his statement of 30th July, and subsequently repeated, relative to the North Atlantic air service 34 still remains the policy of the Government with regard to the subsidisation of air transport companies; and whether it supersedes in any way that announced on behalf of the Government on 19th May?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIn view of the difficulties the Government are evidently finding in distributing their subsidies on this North Atlantic route, would it not be better to nationalise the service right away? In view of the conflicting statements made by representatives of the Government, in the Solicitor-General's speech and in the right hon. Gentleman's speech, could we not have an explicit statement on the subject?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe right hon. Gentleman will find that I have always made it perfectly clear in this House that the Government decided two years ago that Imperial Airways should be utilised for the operation of the main Empire air trunk routes, including the North Atlantic, and it is with regard to other subsidised services not included in present arrangements that we suggested that all those interested should have an equal opportunity of submitting proposals.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman certain that the speech of the Solicitor-General on 19th May does not refer to the North Atlantic route?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI said that I have always made it perfectly clear that Empire routes include the North Atlantic route.