HC Deb 17 April 1946 vol 421 cc2673-5
35. Sir P. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether any decision has yet been arrived at as to the conditions under which a mail and passenger service between this country and Trinidad and the lower West Indies will be expected to operate;

(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that regular and permanent passenger services, adequate to cope with the traffic potential of the area, are provided between the United Kingdom and Trinidad and the lower West Indies.

Mr. Georģe Hall

With regard to air services, I am considering, in consultation with my Noble Friend the Minister of Civil Aviation, the most suitable arrangements for the provision of air communication linking the United Kingdom with the Caribbean area. With regard to shipping, I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, and I would invite attention to his reply of 17th December last. to a Question by the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. C. S. Taylor).

36. Sir P. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many aircraft and what types are now being used by British West Indian Airways; and what services they are operating at present.

Mr. Georģe Hall

British West Indian Airways are now operating with five aircraft: two Lockheed Lodestars, one Lockheed 12A and two Hudsons. They have recently acquired three more Lockheed Lodestars which will come into operation next month, when the two Hudsons will be withdrawn from service. From Trinidad the company operates weekly sixteen services to Barbados, five services to Grenada and three services each to British Guiana, Tobago, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Kitts. The company operates also once weekly between Trinidad, Santo Domingo and Jamaica and once weekly between Barbados and British Guiana. "On demand" services are operated between Jamaica and Belize in British Honduras.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Will the Minister represent that British aircraft should be used on this, route at the earliest opportunity?

Mr. Hall

It is intended that they will be used as soon as they can be acquired.

Mr. Oliver Stanley

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any reduction in the rate of subsidy which it was found necessary to pay last year?

Mr. Hall

Yes, Sir, I think the reduction has been fairly considerable.