HC Deb 26 January 1949 vol 460 cc901-3
15. Mr. Lennox-Boyd

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether it is his policy that B.O.A.C. should use Rome instead of Castel Benito and Malta.

Mr. Lindgren

British Overseas Airways Corporation land-plane trunk services to the East and to South Africa are being progressively withdrawn from Castel Benito in fulfilment of the Corporation's long standing plan to serve Rome which is one of the most important traffic centres in Europe. British Overseas Airways Corporation will, for the time being, continue to operate through Malta with Lancastrian aircraft. When replacement aircraft are available a service adequate to meet traffic requirements between Malta and the East will be operated if proving flights through Malta indicate that the aerodrome is operationally satisfactory.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Does not the hon. Gentleman's answer mean that Malta is being abandoned in favour of Rome and that the temporary abandonment of Malta in favour of Castel Benito was done deliberately because it would have been hard to reconcile the people of Malta to losing their airport in favour of the Rome airport, from which they were so often bombed?

Mr. Lindgren

No, Sir. There is no foundation for that statement.

Squadron-Leader Kinghorn

Could my hon. Friend say whether the Maltese Government have been kept informed of B.O.A.C.'s programme and also, whether the services to Malta are adequate?

Mr. Lindgren

Yes, Sir. 130th the noble Lord and myself have visited Malta. We have had discussions with the Governor, the Prime Minister and other Ministers of the Maltese Government and they are fully informed of B.O.A.C.'s short-term and long-term programmes. In reply to the latter part of the question, Malta is better served today through British European Airways than at any previous time in the history of the air services of the island.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

In view of the great anxiety in Malta and this country and of the uncertainty of the position, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at an early date.