§ Mr. CRAVEN-ELLISasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether Imperial Airways was the only company which they had under consideration when discussing their contemplated North Atlantic air-mail service; and, if so, why?
§ Sir P. SASSOONNo, Sir. The question was approached with a perfectly open mind, though I may say that no concrete proposals from any other source than Imperial Airways were before His Majesty's Government when they took their decision in this matter last year. Otherwise, there is nothing that I can usefully add to the replies given on the 11th and 16th instant respectively, to my hon. Friends the Members for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds) and Blackpool (Mr. J. R. Robinson).
§ Mr. CRAVEN-ELLISasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the new arrangement with Imperial Airways to operate the contemplated North Atlantic air-mail service will be brought to the notice of this House before final arrangements are made; and will he state if this new arrangement will affect the existing mail-carrying contracts now in force with the shipping companies?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe arrangements will be brought to the notice of Parliament at the appropriate stage in accordance with the usual procedure. I am informed by the Postmaster-General that it is impossible at the present time to state whether or not the new scheme will affect the existing mail contracts with the shipping companies.