London, Nov. 21 British and Netherlands competition on' the airmail route to the For East was the subject of a debate im the House of Lords to-day, dur-Ing which greater speeds and' night flying were urged.
Lord Londonderry, Secretary of] State for Air, in reply, said that the Ministry was not asleep. He de. clared that many criticisms of Brit. Ish aviation were based on data! and figures of foreign achievements} which were largely erroneous, "We must not rush into extravagant panic measures in a blind pursuit of mere speed." Lord Londonerty continued. "We must act in the closest ce-operation with—the Dominions and Colonies in any Scheme of Imperial air _communica. ion. The time is not yet ripe for a detailed statement. Plans for faster aircraft in, greater frequency will come. shortly.
The Alr Secretary informed the Mouse that the Ministry nine months ago considered buying the excellent Douglas machine, but subsequently decided in favour of another American machine. "We continue to aim getting British air transport on firm commercial basis, although we may now assist it financially" more Uberally. but there will be no showy window-dressing. With a lower subsidy, the Imperial Airways' record]
better than any oth While the debate was progressing.
statement was Issued by the Im-Perial Airways announcing the duplication of "Empire services from London eastward to Calcutta and southward to Johannesburg, giving vice of mails and _passengers wice a week In both directions.
The first duplicated service deyarts from Croydon for Johannes. burg on December 30 and after that each Sunday and Wednesday, while he first duplicated service will leave (or Calcutta on January 1, and after that each Tuesday and ' Saturday. The return duplicate service will leave both places on January 5.
The new arrangement provider for four services each way 'a weet Between Great Britain "and Eqypt "Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.