§ Mr. HURDasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what are the nature and duration of the facilities granted to Pan-American Airways for the operation of American air services in Trinidad; whether he is aware that while American machines are flying over British West Indian routes not a single British machine is in operation; and What steps are being taken to amend this state of things?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEAs regards the first part of the question, the Governor of Trinidad has granted for a period of six months, subject to renewal, a special and temporary authorisation permitting aircraft of Pan-American Airways to fly over and land in the Colony on flights from the United States of America to the Colony and to South America and back. Permission to erect and operate a wireless telegraph station, to extend the jetty at Cocorite and to reclaim a portion of the foreshore has also been given. As regards the second and last parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my remarks during the course of the Air Estimates Debate on 18th March [OFFICIAL REPORT, Columns 1999, 2022–3], and would add that the possibility of establishing a British air service in that area is still being explored.