asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) if his Department ordered a citizen of Saorstát Eireann who was then engaged in providing without subsidy or personal aid from the Government a cross-Channel and local air service to discontinue such service; and, if so, (2) on what grounds was this order issued; (3) if after such order had been given the Minister set up a Committee to investigate and report upon such schemes for cross-Channel air services as were either then before or might be submitted to the Minister; (4) the names of the members of this Committee; (5) if any of the schemes investigated and reported upon by such Committee had been submitted and sponsored by any of the members of the committee either alone or jointly with others whether members of the Committee or independent persons; (6) if any or all of the members of the said Committee are among the directors of the air service referred to by the Minister in the debate on the Supplementary Estimate for Transport Services connected with Commercial Air Transport; (7) the names of all the directors distinguishing those who were on the said Committee, and (8) the salaries to be paid and the duties to be fulfilled by each said director.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Channel and Local Air Service.
The answer to part one of the question is in the negative. Part two does not, therefore, arise.
As to parts three, four and five, a Committee of an informal character was set up, not to investigate and report upon particular schemes submitted, but to advise me as to carrying out the policy which has been determined by the Government as to air transport services. The members of the Committee were Messrs. Seán O hUadhaigh, W. H. Morton, J.J. O'Leary and A.P. Reynolds, with an assistant secretary of the Department as Chairman.
As regards parts six, seven and eight, the members of the Committee referred to will constitute the first directors of the Saorstát cross-Channel Company which is being established to inaugurate with Messrs. Olley Air Service, Ltd., a cross-Channel air transport service. The duties of the directors will be to direct the Saorstát cross-Channel Company in accordance with its articles of association. The fees to be paid to the directors will be a matter for the company when formed.
Can the Minister give us any idea, within fair limits, when these air services are likely to be inaugurated?
Early next year.