asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, with a view to discouraging the development of uneconomic foreign competition with existing and contemplated British commercial air routes, he will take an early opportunity of indicating the nature of the new policy which the Government proposes to adopt to enable large-scale developments to take place in respect of such British air routes?

As indicated in the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for the Hallam Division of Sheffield (Mr. L. Smith) on 7th November, my Noble Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter.

Has the hon. Gentleman any idea as to when he will be able to make a statement?

At the earliest possible moment.