Mr. Lawasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether arrangements have been finally completed for a photographic air-survey of the whole or part of British North Borneo to be entrusted to a foreign company; and whether, in view of the many uses to which the information contained in such a photograph can be put, he will give an undertaking that such surveys in future will be made by recognised British firms?
Marquess of HartingtonMy right hon. Friend understands that arrangements for reconnaissance flights by a Netherlands East Indies air line have been completed by a British company which is prospecting for oil in North Borneo. If any further flights for a photographic air survey are necessary I am assured that efforts will be made, as they were in the case of the reconnaissance flights, to employ the services of a British company provided that it can carry out the work to the oil company's specifications.