§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, before deciding that the Royal Air Force would not again participate in the seaplane race for the Schneider trophy, he had reason to believe that private persons of British nationality would be prepared to enter for the next contest and be in a position to provide suitable machines; and if he has information as to whether foreign Governments intend to abstain from future contests also?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe decision of the Government to leave the entry to private enterprise was taken on grounds of principle and policy, and not on a calculation of the probability of private entries. I might point out, however, that until 1927 the responsibility for British participation was undertaken by private enterprise, and the Government 1073W feel that in the existing conditions created by two British successes it should be quite practicable for the former tradition to be resumed. I have no official information as to the intentions of foreign Governments.