asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the reason for the delay in restoring the inter-island air services in Orkney which were in existence for four years before the outbreak of war.

These services were operated before the war with a type of aircraft which is now obsolete. The planned introduction of standard types in service today necessitate detailed surveys of the sites available for suitable aerodromes. Since it is clear that considerable work, expense and time would be involved in providing such aerodromes, my noble Friend is arranging for immediate examination of the possibility of some practicable and economical alternative of serving the islands by air.