§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Postmaster-General the cost of the two experimental air-mail flights to and from Australia and the receipts from the carrying of mails; and whether, in view of the results of the experiments, a regular service is intended?
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§ Mr. MONTAGUEI have been asked to reply. The net cost to the British Exchequer is the amount of the subsidy to Imperial Airways, which is approximately £8,000. As regards receipts, the sums due to the various companies concerned, including Imperial Airways, in respect of postal traffic carried amount to approximately £3,600. It would, however, be unwise to draw any deductions from these figures. On the question of a regular service, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Colonel Howard-Bury) of 22nd May. It may be added that the flights have certainly shown that a regular service is technically feasible.