Mr Oliver Simmonds: asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the British Overseas Airways Corporation has rendered annual accounts, with statements, particulars and reports, as required by Sections 22 and 23 of the British Overseas Airways Act, 1939.
Mr Oliver Simmonds: The whole of the Committee expected from the Chancellor an able and lucid speech. In fact, we had much more than that. We had one of the most statesmanlike pronouncements on the financial and economic problems of the State to which hon. Members have listened for many a long day. Without comparing my right hon. Friend with the Noble Lord in the other place, I would say that the Chancellor of...
Mr Oliver Simmonds: I shall be very happy to discuss that matter with my hon. Friend if he wishes to do so, and to elucidate any point to which he desires to refer subsequently, but I cannot see that it is quite relevant to the point I am now trying to make. The Chancellor said yesterday that wage rates had in- creased by about 40 per cent. That means that, for a given some of money—and the standard is a sum...
Mr Oliver Simmonds: asked the Prime Minister if he can make any statement with regard to the recent Anglo-American discussions in London concerning post-war civil air transport.
Mr Oliver Simmonds: Could my right hon. Friend explain the relation of these conversations to the Imperial conversations last year, and are any of these concessions in opposition to any of the main decisions made at the Imperial Conference?
Mr Oliver Simmonds: asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he receives, at regular intervals, information from the British Overseas Airways Corporation regarding their detailed operational costs.
Mr Oliver Simmonds: Will my right hon. Friend see that this matter is given closer attention; and is he willing to make the figures, or a summary of them, available to hon. Members?
Mr Oliver Simmonds: But is it not a fact that the question of the efficiency of the Corporation was very much under consideration by the House; and what information does my right hon. Friend propose to give the House?
Mr Oliver Simmonds: In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at an early date.
Mr Oliver Simmonds: asked the Prime Minister what decision has been taken by the Government to remove the control of civil aviation from the Air Ministry.
Mr Oliver Simmonds: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Debate on the Report stage of the Air Estimates, with the exception of the Ministers of the Departments, the House was unanimous that this step should be taken? Will he see that the Government give it further and early consideration?
Mr Oliver Simmonds: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Regulations regarding fire-watching have been reviewed in the light of recent air-raids; and what conclusions have been reached.
Mr Oliver Simmonds: Would my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that if he wants to avoid financial waste the way to build houses is by private enterprise?
Mr Oliver Simmonds: Could the Minister try to find a better word than "prefabrication" in order to make these houses attractive to those who will live in them?
Mr Oliver Simmonds: asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the present situation with regard to the Russo-Finnish peace talks.
Mr Oliver Simmonds: asked the Secretary of State for Air if he can make any statement with regard to the nature and extent of fighter opposition in recent British night and day bombing raids over enemy territory.
Mr Oliver Simmonds: asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why hired undertakings under the Ministry of War Transport haulage organisation receive disadvantageous financial treatment compared with controlled undertakings.
Mr Oliver Simmonds: Is my hon. Friend aware that there is grave dissatisfaction about these inequalities, and will be receive a deputation from these hired operators?
Mr Oliver Simmonds: Would the hon. Gentleman say whether the publication of this information would show the inefficiency of State control?
Mr Oliver Simmonds: Then is the policy of the Air Ministry that, the less information they give to B.O.A.C. and the House as to post-war intentions, the more successful civil aviation will be?