asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why the White Paper containing detailed proposals in connection with the air services to Scandinavia cannot be made available to Members of this House before the Financial Resolution in connection with the Air Navigation Bill is considered in Committee?

The projected agreement for a Scandinavian service will be covered by the terms of the Air Transport (Subsidies) Act, 1930, and is in no way dependent on the pass-mg of the Air Navigation Bill now before the House. The proposals are at present m process of being put into legal form by the competent Department, and will then require discussion with the legal advisers of the company. So long as there is a possibility of material modifications which might affect the terms of the White Paper, the latter obviously cannot be laid.

Are we to understand from that answer that this agreement is not yet legally binding, and that either the Government or the company could withdraw from it without penalty at the present time?

The agreement has not yet been signed, and before it is signed a White Paper will be put before the House.

Is it legally binding?

It has not been signed.