§ 9. Mr. Vernon Bartlettasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the serious delays in the transport across the Atlantic of passengers and mail; and whether, in view of the importance of this traffic to war-time efficiency and post-war co-operation, he will discuss with the United States Government the advisability of allocating enough bombers to the transatlantic service to ensure regular and frequent service for priority passengers and urgent mail?
§ Sir A. SinclairThere is no delay at the present time in the conveyance of either passengers or mail by British-controlled air services across the Atlantic. Passengers, whose applications are officially sponsored and approved, are provided with passages within an average time of two days of receipt of notification that they are ready to travel. If, of course, a passenger wishes to travel by a particular route, he may have to wait somewhat longer before he can be accommodated. Air mail is being conveyed as it becomes available.
§ Mr. BartlettCan my right hon. Friend assure us that this encouraging and rather surprising average will not go down when the winter months come, because is he not aware that every Government Department that has business in Washington has a number of important officials who are needed on one side of the Atlantic or another quickly and can, not get there without delay?
§ Sir A. SinclairI cannot claim to be able to prevent weather delays during the winter months. I can only answer the Question which my hon. Friend has put down.
§ Mr. BartlettCannot an adequate number of machines be allocated specifically for the Trans-Atlantic passage?
§ Sir A. SinclairI think it is clear from the answer that the number of machines allocated is adequate.
§ Colonel Sir A. Lambert WardDoes not my right hon. Friend consider that bombers are better employed doing what they are doing than carrying priority passengers across the Atlantic?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe bombers are doing magnificent work.