HC Deb 08 December 1937 vol 330 cc364-5
6 and 15. Captain Alan Graham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether Imperial Airways, Limited, have direectly or indirectly sought the aid of His Majesty's Minister in Bangkok towards establishing a Bangkok-Hong Kong air service; whether such aid was forthcoming; and what were the reasons for the failure to secure such an important route?

(2) if he will state the reason for the recent failure of Imperial Airways, Limited, to obtain a Bangkok-Hong Kong service at a time when this would have been of the utmost value to Imperial communications?

Mr. Eden

His Majesty's Representative at Bangkok has been conducting negotiations with the Siamese Government, and I am happy to be able to state that formal agreement was reached on 3rd December and recorded in an Exchange of Notes, which will be laid before the House in due course. I understand that arrangements have now been made to inaugurate the service from Bangkok on 19th December.