§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Secretary of State for Air if, in view of the probability of the question being raised in the League of Nations, he can state in what countries in the world is civil aviation under the control of a military administration?
§ Sir S. HOAREIt would not be practicable within the limits of an answer to a question to state the varying methods of provision for the administration of civil aviation in foreign countries. Some information on this subject will be found in the section on aviation in various countries in Part II of the Annual Report on the Progress of Civil Aviation, 1925–26 (Cmd. 2707) and in the previous half-yearly and annual reports, a list of which is contained on page 4 of that publication.
§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that we do not hold a single record in aviation; and, 3003W having regard to our records in other directions of mechanical transport such as shipping, motors, and motor bicycles, and in war-time aviation, if he will have the matter of aviation control impartially inquired into by a public committee?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I fail, however, to see any connection between the winning of records, which ordinarily tall to machines specially designed or modified for racing purposes and not suitable for general use, and the present air policy of His Majesty's Government, which aims at securing an efficient air service and establishing civil aviation on a commercial basis as early as possible. The answer to the second part of the question is therefore in the negative.