asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the Press reports of 12th April last of a speech by a member in which it was said that the Government is spending large sums of money on air services, he will state the amounts, if any, voted during each of the past three years for the operation of air services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Spending on Air Services.
I have seen the Press report to which the Deputy refers.
No money has been voted by way of subsidy towards the operation of air services in the three years that ended on 31st March, 1954, nor is there any provision for such payment in the Estimates for the present financial year. The last year in which any subsidy was provided for the operation of air services was 1950-51 when £2,740 was provided.
Would the Minister kindly inform Deputy Norton of these facts?
I will be glad to do so if it will do any good.
Will the Minister say how the new air service at Baldonnel has been financed?
That is a military aerodrome.
Who provides the money for it?
Baldonnel is a military aerodrome. If Deputy Norton is trying to close down airports, he should make that clear.
Could the Minister give an indication of the amount of money spent last year in the investigation of the transatlantic air service?
I have already informed the Dáil that nothing was spent. Not one penny of public money was spent for that purpose.
Does the Minister not recall giving particulars to this House of the investigations?
I told the Deputy—if he is capable of understanding—that no money was spent for that purpose.
May I ask the Minister who paid the expenses of the officials who went to America on three occasions in regard to it?
The question asked by Deputy Colley has been correctly answered. No subsidy whatever has been provided for the past three years for the operation of air services and no subsidy is contemplated this year.
That is a typical quibble of the Minister's. You gave particulars already to the House of the amount spent.