HC Deb 08 May 1929 vol 227 cc2193-4W
Mr. VIANT

asked the Secretary of State for Air what subsidy was paid to Imperial Airways, Limited, for each completed flight, Cairo-Basra, during the calendar year 1927 and during the calendar year 1928?

Sir S. HOARE

The rate of subsidy in 1927 varied under the agreement, and was £1,200 for each of the first 52 flights, £900 for each of the next 26, and £300

AIRCRAFT ISSUED TO IMPERIAL AIRWAYS, LIMITED, under contract with the Air Ministry, for experimental operation in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.
Name of Aircraft. Date of Issue to Imperial Airways. Date of Return by Imperial Airways.
Handley Page "Hamilton" … 27th November, 1924 … 23rd March, 1925.
Avro "Andover" … 27th June, 1925 … 25th July, 1925.
Vickers "Vanguard" … (1) 17th October, 1925 … 17th December, 1925.
(2) 1st June, 1926 … 30th June, 1926.
(3) 24th May, 1928 … 29th October, 1928.
Supermarine "Swan" … 9th June, 1926 … 8th March, 1927.
DeHavilland 54 "Highclere" … (1) 1st October, 1926 … 16th October, 1926.
(2) 9th November, 1926 … 1st February, 1927 (destroyed and written off charge).

Mr. VIANT

asked the Secretary of State for Air to state the date on which the full agreement between the Air Ministry and Imperial Airways, Limited, was signed; and if it is the intention of the Ministry to keep the exact terms of this agreement secret?

Sir S. HOARE

The answer to the first part of the question is that the agreement was signed on 9th March, 1929. The answer to the second part is that there is no secrecy about the terms and that the position in regard

day, 27th April, 1929, in the parishes of Devonport and Plymouth.

for each of the balance of 12 flights completed. The rate in 1928 was £900.

Mr. VIANT

asked the Secretary of State for Air what particular aeroplanes and seaplanes have been lent by the Air Ministry to Imperial Airways, Limited, for operation since 1924; on what dates were they handed over to Imperial Airways, Limited; and on what dates were they returned to the Air Ministry?

Sir S. HOARE

The following table gives the information requested:

to publication was made quite clear in the reply given to the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle) on 25th July last.