§ 13 and 16. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Air (1) whether he has taken any steps for the establishment of air services for urgent war freights;
(2) whether any steps have been taken to utilise air-freight services on suitable routes?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe answer to both Questions is "Yes, Sir." Apart from transport services operated by the Royal Air Force, six freight-carrying services are at present operated from the United Kingdom by the British Overseas Airways Corporation, which also operates war transport services from other terminals.
§ Mr. Garro JonesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the British Overseas Airways Corporation do not operate more than about 100 half-obsolete aircraft, and does this represent his conception of the importance of airfreight services at the present time?
§ sir A. SinclairI cannot accept my hon. and gallant Friend's description of the aircraft with which these services are operated, but we are doing our best to make the operation of these services as efficient as we can with the resources at our disposal.
§ Mr. Garro JonesCan my right hon. Friend deny that the British Overseas Airways Corporation operate about 100 aircraft, a great proportion of which are obsolete, and, I repeat, does that represent his conception of the importance of these services?
§ Sir A. SinclairI neither deny nor confirm it, because all these services are war services, and it would be most unfortunate to discuss in this House the number of aircraft.