HC Deb 20 March 1946 vol 420 cc1846-7
12. Wing-Commander Hulbert

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, if he will make a statement about the recent overseas tour of the Minister; and what results were achieved.

Mr. Ivor Thomas

The Conference which my Noble Friend attended in Wellington recommended the establishment of a South Pacific Air Transport Council, for the co-ordination and development of air services in that area. It also recommended the early establishment of a new organisation to be called British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines to operate services between Sydney and Vancouver and between Auckland and Vancouver in parallel partnership with the Canadian company, Trans-Canada Airlines. The new organization will comprise the interests of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

In Canberra my Noble Friend discussed future arrangements for services between the United Kingdom and Australia, and negotiated a bilateral agreement between the two countries.

In New Delhi he discussed technical problems of common concern to India and ourselves.

My Noble Friend proposes to make a statement himself at an early date.

Mr. Pickthorn

Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us what is meant by the words "parallel partnership?" Does it mean that the partners have been extended and so far produced that they will never meet?

Mr. Thosmas

I certainly trust that the aircraft will never meet in this parallel partnership.

Mr. Pickthorn

What does "parallel partnership" mean? The Parliamentary Secretary has not told us that.