§ Mr. SANDYSasked how many officers belonging to the permanent establishment of the Air Battalion are at present engaged in aeroplane work on Salisbury Plain?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)Three officers of the Air Battalion and two officers attached are at present engaged on aeroplane work at Salisbury Plain.
§ Mr. SANDYSAre the two officers attached included in the permanent establishment to which the question relates?
§ Colonel SEELYI think not. I would not like to say offhand.
§ Mr. SANDYSThat is to say there are three officers now engaged in work on Salisbury Plain belonging to the permanent establishment?
§ Colonel SEELYSo I think.
§ Mr. SANDYSIs there a proposal to increase that number?
§ Colonel SEELYYes, up to a hundred officers.
§ Mr. SANDYSAre there a hundred officers in the permanent establishment?
§ Colonel SEELYNo, I must not be taken as saying that.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has managed to ask four supplementary questions, all separate questions, to which he has got full answers.
§ Mr. SANDYSasked whether any cross-country flights have been undertaken by officers of the Air Battalion during the past six months acting under official instructions; if so, whether their expenses in connection with such flights have been refunded; and, if so, what sum has been expended in such manner?
§ Colonel SEELYSeveral cross-country flights have been undertaken by officers of the Air Battalion during the last six months. Claims for expenses are for the consideration of the local military authorities, and it is understood that certain claims are now being so considered.
§ Mr. SANDYSasked whether an engineer officer engaged in aviation work receives no additional pay; whether an officer of the Guards on joining the Air Battalion loses his Guards' allowance; and, if so, whether steps will be taken in framing the proposed pay regulations for the Air Battalion to deal with these cases?
§ Mr. TENNANTIn regard to the first and second parts of the question the facts, under present arrangements, are as stated. As regards the last part of the question, these cases will be considered.
§ Mr. SANDYSasked whether it is proposed to form an aviation corps apart from the Royal Engineers and under separate administration?
§ Colonel SEELYI am not in a position to make any further statement on this subject at present.
§ Mr. SANDYSasked whether officers who obtained an Aero Club certificate before the issue of the new regulations will be entitled to the allowance of £75?
§ Mr. TENNANTIf they are recommended and selected for aviation work they will be entitled to the allowance.
§ Mr. SANDYSasked whether, if, as is officially stated, 100 officers are to pass through a short aviation course, it is the intention of the Government on mobilisation to withdraw such officers from their regiments for the purpose of forming an aviation corps; and, if so, how the deficiency in regimental officers is to be made good?
§ Sir HILDRED CARLILEasked whether the Army Council has sanctioned the proposed system whereby, on the outbreak of hostilities, officers who are also aeroplanists would, when their services are most needed, be permanently withdrawn from the regiments to which they belong?
§ Colonel SEELYThe officers in question will be withdrawn from their regiments on mobilisation, and vacancies in the regiments will be dealt with in the usual way when officers are withdrawn for staff duties.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEIf any of these officers break their necks or get injured otherwise, will any allowance be given?
§ Colonel SEELYI hope that there will not be very many fatal accidents. The whole question of compensation for injury is under careful consideration.