24. Mr. Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will, in the near future, set up a committee of inquiry into the possibility of establishing a Government civil air service for Scotland?
Captain BalfourNo, Sir. The establishment of further civil air services for Scotland is a matter for operating companies subject to licence by the Air Transport Licensing Authority, which recently sat in Edinburgh for the purpose of hearing applications for licences by existing companies and any intending new operators in Scotland.
Mr. DavidsonIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the fact that there is considerable dissatisfaction with regard to Scottish air services, and will his Department keep in mind the fact that geographical factors in Scotland make civil air services necessary, and that they can be made profitable, too?
Captain BalfourUnfortunately, air services in Scotland have hitherto not been found to be very profitable to those undertaking them. We have given assistance by way of internal subsidies and in other ways, and if only those in the more remote geographical parts of Scotland would travel more by air, it might be easier to run the air services.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanIs it not a fact that it is almost impossible for a person who has not a high income to take advantage of the air services where they do operate, such as in the Western Isles?
§ Mr. R. GibsonDoes the hon. and gallant Member suggest that every individual route must be on a remunerative basis before the Government will put it into operation?
Captain BalfourNo, Sir. The Government do not operate routes, and indeed, far from their having to be remunerative, the Government spend £100,000 in subsidies to internal lines in Scotland and England, and provide a large measure of ground organisation.
Mr. DavidsonCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how his Department got over that fundamental trouble with regard to Imperial Airways?