§ Captain Pluggeasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the latest figures show that passenger 705W traffic carried by Dutch Air Lines in the West Indies for March this year show an increase of 80 per cent. over the corresponding month of 1938 whilst the increase of mail amounted to 65 per cent.; and whether he is now able to state what steps are being taken to assist the early establishment of adequate British air services in the West Indies?
Captain BalfourI am not aware of the figures to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. The position in regard to the inter-island service in the West Indies is that a report recently made after investigation on the spot by a technical officer of my Department has been examined in consultation with the Colonial Office, and a detailed specification of the requirements for such a service has been drawn up. Steps are, I understand, now being taken by the Colonial Office to ascertain from the local authorities the extent to which existing facilities can be used, and the amount of the contributions to the service which they are prepared to make. So soon as this information is available, it will be possible to reach a definite decision in regard to the establishment of the service.