regular communications by air, it is clear that a further considerable outlay will be involved. Again, incidental expenditure such as may be incurred for the erection of meteorological and wireless stations is not covered by this estimate. The Air Council's original proposal to the Treasury also contemplated the organisation of a regular aerial service for Cairo to Karachi for the carriage of urgent official communications, and passengers on official duty. In deference to the objection expressed by the Treasury they are prepared to postpone for the present the question of the organisation of such a service though they would desire to make it clear that the route is one which contains great possibilities for aviation in its civil and commercial aspects. Even without the establishment of a regular service, there would in any case be a considerable amount of air traffic over the route in connection with the maintenance of the squadrons in the Middle and Far East owing to the necessity of familiarising their personnel with climatic and other conditions of long-distance flying. The inception of this route will further make possible a more accurate survey of its intermediate stages, thereby facilitating any subsequent strategic movements of aircraft on a large-scale, and in the light of the experience already acquired in Mesopotamia it is clear that will effectively assist in the maintenance of public order in the Middle East. The route as planned provides for the laying out of an aerodrome at Damascus and of an emergency landing ground at Tadmore. The future status of the territory in which these places are situated has not yet been decided, but it appears probable that they may be under the mandatory power of France. It is not anticipated that insuperable difficulties would arise in obtaining the right of passage for British military aircraft through territory under French mandate. If however such should prove to be the case it will be possible to divert the route to the South and by using machines of greater endurance to avoid passing over French soil; and it is accordingly not proposed at present to incur any fresh expenditure to Damascus and Tadmore. (See alternative routes as shown on map by dotted lines). On the grounds above stated I request that the war cabinet will authorise the initial expenditure of £100,000 for the works required. This memorandum has been referred to the foreign Office, and India, who have intimated that they have no objection to its submission to the cabinet.”
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