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Oral Answers to Questions — German Airship Flight (British Opposition).

– in the House of Commons at on 4 March 1929.

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Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

40.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the objection to the proposed flight of the airship "Graf Zeppelin" over Egypt came; from the Egyptian Government or His Majesty's Government; and what were the reasons for the objection?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON:

As I stated in reply to a question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member on the 27th of February, the German Government were informed by His Majesty's Ambassador that His Majesty's Government were opposed to this flight. The attitude of His Majesty's Government in the matter of foreign aviation in Egypt is dictated by the vital nature of the Imperial communications which pass through that country.

Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

Does that mean that the objection came from His Majesty's Government and not from the Egyptian Government?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON:

I think I explained to the hon. and gallant Gentleman the other day that foreign aircraft flight cannot take place except by agreement of both Governments.

Photo of Mr Ernest Thurtle Mr Ernest Thurtle , Shoreditch

May we take it that the Egyptian Government was agreeable to the flight, but the British Government was not?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON:

I do not know that the Egyptian Government were approached in this matter.

Photo of Captain William Benn Captain William Benn , Aberdeen North

Do we claim aviation in Egypt as coming under the four reserved points?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON:

This is a question of a particular flight by foreign aircraft over the zone of the Suez Canal, and it is a matter which was definitely included in the agreement made by us with Sarwat Pasha. It was agreed that such flights were not to be made.

Opposition

The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".

Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.