asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether offices were recently purchased by Aer Lingus Teoranta in Paris, and, if so, what was (a) the date of purchase; (b) the purchase price; (c) the amount, if any, spent upon reconstruction; (d) whether the said premises were valued and by whom, and (f) the number of tickets sold at this Paris office since it was opened by Aer Lingus Teoranta.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aer Lingus Teoranta Paris Office.
I am informed by Aer Lingus that they leased premises in Paris in October, 1946. The sum of £17,000 was paid in consideration of the granting of the lease. In addition, an annual rental of £858 is payable. Furniture and equipment already in the premises were acquired by Aer Lingus for £7,000. Approximately £5,000 has since been spent on the renovation and conversion of the premises.
The company had the advice of a Paris estate agent and of others who had experience of conditions in Paris, including another airline which had previously acquired premises there.
The number of tickets sold in the Paris office to date amounts to 28. The office is primarily intended for information and publicity purposes and tickets have been sold there only since 1st December, 1947. Up to the present, the office is granted only a limited allocation of tickets, the bulk of ticket sales in France being effected through Air France, who act as Aer Lingus general agents in that country, and local travel agents. The local Aer Lingus office assists the various travel agents and supervises the carrying out of the agency agreement by Air France.
I am informed that the company contemplates letting portion of the premises to certain other interests.
Is the Minister satisfied that the expenditure of approximately £30,000 by Aer Lingus, Tta, was not justified by the sale of 28 tickets?
I take it that it is unnecessary for me to answer that.