§ Lieut.-Colonel GAULTasked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in view of the hindrance that the international control of civil aviation will cause to the development of air transport in the British Empire and the industry of aircraft manu- 1337W facture, steps will be taken to help these industries to maintain the lead which-this country has established in technical progress and avoid further unemployment;
(2) whether, in view of the detrimental effect on industry and employment of the internationalisation of civil aviation, he can say if any evidence on this question has been taken from the commercial interests primarily affected, such as the Society of British Aircraft Constructors and Imperial Airways, Limited; and, if not, whether these and other bodies will be afforded an opportunity of putting forward their views when the Government examine this question as envisaged in the recent White Paper on British disarmament policy and before any final decision is reached
§ The PRIME MINISTERPending examination of a concrete scheme for the internationalisation of civil aviation, it is not possible to assess what reactions, if any, upon industry and employment would be involved. In considering any such scheme, His Majesty's Government will,1338W of course, examine it from the points of view indicated in my hon. and gallant Friend's question.