Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 1 August 1935.
Sir Percy Harris
, Bethnal Green South West
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement about the aeroplane which was forced to descend by the Rumanian authorities when flying over their territory; and whether, seeing that it was found to be a German plane with a capacity for 50 bombs and two gun turrets, although it was described as a sports plane and that it is against the international air convention for such planes to fly over territory without the permission of the government to which the territory belongs, he will inquire into the matter with a view to making representations to the German government?
Mr Samuel Hoare
, Chelsea
No Sir, I can make no statement, though I am aware that reports on this subject have appeared in the Press. The question whether representations are to be made to the German Government in this connection must rest with the Rumanian Government.
Sir Percy Harris
, Bethnal Green South West
Is it not correct to say that it is against the Air Convention for one country to send aeroplanes over another country without the permission of that country?
Mr Samuel Hoare
, Chelsea
I could not express an opinion, because I have only seen a Press report. I have no official information on the subject at all.
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.