asked the Secretary of State for Air why difficulties as to the air mail from India being able to pick up mails at Bagdad were not foreseen; whether, when the aeroplane left before scheduled time, advance notification was given to the postal authorities at Bagdad and, if not, whether action has been taken as to this incident; and what steps are being taken for the future to ensure mails being carried according to schedule.

I have been asked to reply. I am still in communication with Imperial Airways regarding the incident, and will write to my Noble Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

But is not this the machine on which the Secretary of State for Air travelled home on part of the journey, and was he not able to secure from the pilot a reason why he rose in the small hours to start three hours before time? Did he do so on his own initiative, and, if not, on whose instructions?

I do not think that arises out of the answer.

It is the very point of the question, repeated in another form, and I thought it might be useful to the Noble Lord when he was taking steps to obtain the information.

I have replied that we are making inquiries into the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the rapid development of air mail services throughout the World and the great saving of time which these services afford, he can inform the House what methods are being adopted by his Department to give publicity to this form of mail transport?

A special leaflet containing full particulars (including a map) of the Air Services of the world which offer appreciable advantage in time of transit as compared with ordinary routes is issued and kept up to date so far as possible. The leaflets are widely distributed to regular or likely users of the service, and can be obtained on application at any post office. Particulars are also published in the Post Office Daily List and in the Post Office Guide. Early intimation is received of new Air Services offered by other countries, and, if they offer advantages, announcements are made through the Press. In addition, the Air Services are advertised in the books of stamps sold at Post Offices, which have a circulation of upwards of nine millions, and by means of pictorial show cards displayed in post offices. A special leaflet dealing with the Indian Air Mail Service and its connections will be issued at an early date.

Can the Noble Lord state the number of leaflets issued, apart from those which can be obtained on application at the post offices, and in what direction they are sent; and can he give any indication of the amount spent on publicity to push this new service?

I could not answer those questions without notice.

Is the Post Office responsible for the advertisement of the India Air Mail? Is he aware that that advertisement is offensive to a large number of Scotsmen; and is that advertisement intended to represent, not an average Scot, but the Noble Lord's chief, who is not an average Scot.

I am not aware that the advertisement is offensive, but, if the hon. Member will explain to me afterwards how it is offensive, I shall be glad to look into it.

Has the Noble Lord seen the advertisement referred to by the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan), and, if so, will he consult with any Scotsman in order to discover whether it is offensive or not? It might be a portrait of the Noble Lord, but it is not the portrait of a Scotsman.

I have not seen any offensive advertisements.

Has any application been made to the weekly news agencies to see if they would be willing to show news films in order to popularise the service?

No, Sir.

Does the Noble Lord think that it is a good advertisement for the India Air Mail Service that when the air mail came back from India a lot of mails were left behind at Bagdad through the mail starting three hours before the scheduled time, and the Noble Lord says he knows nothing about it?