Mr. WEST RUSSELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, with a view to popularising air transport, he will consider the organisation of an Air Week or Fortnight during which all available Royal Air Force machines should visit the chief aerodromes of the country and give displays and passenger flights?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI regret that it is not possible to agree to the hon. Member's suggestion. How far the Royal Air Force can promote civil flying interests is carefully considered when the training programme of the year is prepared, and, as the hon. Member is aware, arrangements are made for attendance of Service aircraft at flying meetings and for visits of flying boats to seaside towns. As I explained, however, in my replies to the hon. Members for the Isle of Thanet (Captain Balfour) and Northampton (Mr. Malone) on 26th March, the extent to which such co-operation is practicable is very limited, and the assistance which is already being given is the utmost that is possible with due regard to Service training requirements.