§ 56. Mr. Simmondsasked the Secretary of State for Air when the Ensign type of air liner will be in regular service upon the air routes of Imperial Airways, Limited?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)The first aircraft of this class is now in regular service on the London—Paris route and other aircraft of this class will be in service shortly.
§ Mr. SimmondsCan my hon. and gallant Friend say anything concerning the use of this type of aircraft on the Empire services and when they will commence?
§ Captain BalfourThere are now two of these aircraft at Croydon, and by the end of November there will be five. I cannot give any definite date when they will be on the service.
§ Mr. PerkinsCan my hon. and gallant Friend say whether these machines are entirely satisfactory and up to specification?
§ Captain BalfourThe machines have passed their certificate of airworthiness test. Whether they have given satisfaction from the commercial point of view is for the company, and not for my Department, to decide.