Lieut.-Colonel MALONEasked the Under Secretary of State to the Air Ministry 2157W whether he can give an assurance that in taking every step to cut down expenditure and ensure economy in his Department, he will support and strengthen the Department of Civil Aviation in order to assist the development of British aircraft production, the success of which industry will add materially to the general prosperity of the country; and whether he will be prepared to give an account of the progress and work of that Department when Parliament reassembles?
§ Major-General SEELYWith regard to the first part of the question, I am not at present in a position to add anything to the statement I made when introducing the Estimates, but my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that the Government are fully alive to the importance of civil aviation to this country. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.