§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that French aeroplane manufacturers are already so fully supplied with orders from their own and other Continental Governments that they cannot supply machines to the British Army in quantities within a reasonable time, he will take immediate steps to purchase machines from such British manufacturers as may prove their ability to turn out satisfactory aeroplanes?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)Will the hon. Member kindly refer to the reply to the question put on this subject by the hon. Member for Taunton on the 28th November, to which there is nothing at present to add.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked whether the French Army regulations provided that officers engaged in the aviation department were to be treated as on full war footing with, in the case of accident, similar allowances and pensions to themselves or their widows as they would receive if wounded or killed on active service; and whether such conditions also applied to the English aviation officers?
§ Colonel SEELYThe suggestion contained in the question that French officers engaged in the aeronautical service are placed on a war footing, and that in case of injuries they or their wives receive pensions or allowances as if the injuries had been incurred on active service, is inaccurate. Their service is only regarded as active service for purposes of promotion. The conditions for our own aviation officers are not yet settled.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWill the right hon. Gentleman, having regard to both the danger and the necessity of this service, consider very seriously whether he cannot make an extra provision for these officers who are engaged in aviation?
§ Colonel SEELYYes, certainly. Extra remuneration must be given. I have said, and I repeat, that I hope to be able to state the conditions very shortly.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked how many effective aeroplanes are now owned by the War Department; how many of them are of English and French manufacture; and how many of each sort have been purchased since the 1st January, 1911?
§ Colonel SEELYThere are twelve effective aeroplanes at present owned by the War Department, and three more are under reconstruction in the factory. Of these nine are of English and six of French manufacture. Seven aeroplanes of English and four of French manufacture have been purchased since 1st January, 1911.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the French Government has over 250 of these aeroplanes at the present moment?
§ Colonel SEELYI do not think that is a matter I can deal with by way of question and answer. I have said that I hope to make a further statement before long. I will make a statement.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSShall we have an opportunity of discussing the statement the right hon. Gentleman is going to make next week?
§ Colonel SEELYNext Session I should think we can fully discuss the arrangements proposed to be made.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSBefore the final arrangements are made will the House have an opportunity of discussing what is proposed?
§ Colonel SEELYThat is a question which should be put to the Prime Minister or the Patronage Secretary.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the War Office to make the grant of £75 to every officer who obtains his aviator's certificate, or whether this grant will only be given to those officers subsequently selected for aviation service; and whether it is his intention to attach every officer obtaining such certificate to the Air Battalion or only selected officers; and, if so, upon what basis in either case does he propose to make the selections?
§ Colonel SEELYThe grant of £75 will be made only to those officers who are selected for aviation work and have a pilot's certificate, or on their obtaining a pilot's certificate. Every officer who has been so selected and has obtained a pilot's certificate will be attached to the Air Battalion for a further course before appointment as Army aviator. The original selection will be made on the recommendations of commanding and medical officers as to the suitability of the officer for aviation work.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in spite of the fact that the recent French military aviation trials have been for machines carrying three persons, the French Government have nevertheless since the trials placed large orders for high-speed single-seated machines; and whether he will, in preparing his test regulations, provide for trials for single-seated and two-seated machines as well as for those of larger and heavier type?
§ Colonel SEELYIt is considered desirable to confine the competition tests to machines capable of carrying two persons. Single-seated machines will be dealt with later.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, when he has ascertained the best type of machine by means of his cash prizes, he proposes to have it copied at the Army aircraft factory; and, if so, if he would state what is the size, number of men employed, and qualifications of such factory to turn out, say, 100 aeroplanes within the next six months?
§ Colonel SEELYThe aircraft factory is not at present organised for doing more than experimental work and repairs to aeroplanes besides other aircraft work. The question as to how far, if at all, the factory should be used for construction of aeroplanes on the lines suggested is under consideration.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSDo I understand that the factory is not to be used for the construction of aeroplanes and that orders have to be given to outside factories?
§ Colonel SEELYAs I have stated elsewhere, the proposal is that the aircraft factory shall not undertake the manufacture of aeroplanes at present on a large scale. We shall have to obtain our aeroplanes from outside sources as regards the greater number.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the latest production of the aircraft factory, namely, the balloon known as the "Delta," has burst every time it has been inflated before reaching a pressure which is regarded as giving a sufficient factor of safety for practical use; whether on the last, voyage of the airship "Gamma" to Salisbury Plain, the frame containing the crew and engine buckled in the course of the voyage; and, if so, whether he will lay before Parliament a full report on the working of such factory?
§ Colonel SEELYThe "Delta" is not yet completed, and has not yet been inflated with gas. As is usual during manufacture portions of the dirigible have been tested in various ways, and when completed all portions will have a proper margin of safety. During the voyage of the "Gamma" on 22nd September the pitching of the vessel broke a stay wire in 1564 the fore end of the frame, and the two fore bays of the frame buckled, but no further damage resulted, although the continued pitching was severe. There is nothing in these cases to require any further report.
§ Sir HILDRED CARLILEasked what use, in view of the adoption of aeroplanes by the War Office, is being made now or is likely to be made in the future of the non-dirigible balloons owned by the Government?
§ Colonel SEELYNon-dirigible balloons are used for observation of fire.
§ Sir H. CARLILEAre we to understand that we shall maintain and keep those that we have?
§ Colonel SEELYYes.
§ Mr. FELLasked if the dirigible balloon "Beta" has been taken out of its shed at Aldershot on any occasion during the past six months, and if the men who are to navigate it have been on the Continent to study the management and handling of dirigibles; and, if not, how is it proposed that they should learn their work?
§ Colonel SEELYThe "Beta" has been out on several occasions during the last six months, and the men who are to navigate her are learning their work by such practice. They have not been to the Continent to study the management and handling of dirigibles.
§ Mr. FELLWould it not be very advantageous for them to go abroad to study for a bit as they are making almost daily ascents in Germany and France very successfully?
§ Colonel SEELYI cannot admit that there is this superiority in knowledge in foreign countries. We have certain advantages of our own which are not possessed by any foreign country.