§ Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what land air service is to operate from the United Kingdom to East and South Africa and Portuguese East Africa in place of the flying boat service; and whether he will consider arranging for the flying boat bases to be available for flying boat services which may wish to operate from British countries on the routes previously flown by Imperial Airways.
§ Mr. LindgrenA landplane service from the United Kingdom to East and South Africa has been in operation since November, 1945. It is at present flown four times a weak with York aircraft by British Overseas Airways Corporation and South African Airways in partnership. South African Airways supplement the service with a Skymaster flight every ten days. The frequency of the York service will shortly be increased to six times a week. Portuguese East Africa and places in British East Africa hitherto served by the "C" class flying boats will be linked up with the landplane service by appropriate feeder services. As regards the second part of the Question, this matter is being considered in connection with the possibility now under consideration of establishing a new service on the South Africa route in due course with improved flying boats. On the other routes previously operated by Imperial Airways, the hon. Member is no doubt aware that British Overseas Airways Corporation are394W operating regular flying boat services along the routes to Egypt, India, Burma, Malaya, Hong Kong and Australia and for these the existing flying boat bases continue to be available.