§ 33. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked why the Army thinks it necessary to appoint a Committee to consider the question of flying monoplanes when the Navy does not; and whether the difference of opinion between the military and naval wing of the Royal Flying Corps is due to the advice of civilian experts being taken by the Army?
§ Colonel SEELYThe Committee mentioned was assembled in order to investigate the two accidents to monoplanes which occurred during the manœuvre period, and to make recommendations with the view of minimising the risk of accident in future.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Navy is still flying monoplanes? Why cannot the Army be allowed to do so?
§ Colonel SEELYIn view of these two very distressing accidents which happened within a few days, it was very possible there might be structural defects in the monoplanes in the possession of the Army. I therefore took the responsibility of ordering an inquiry, and of stopping the supply until we had found out the facts.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEIf all orders for monoplanes and flying machines have been stopped since the manœuvres, is this according to the desire of the military experts of the Flying Corps?
§ Colonel SEELYI took the fullest expert advice before. I took the action I did.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSCould not the right hon. Gentleman expedite the findings of the Committee, seeing how seriously we are behind other countries?
§ Colonel SEELYIt is always dangerous to try to hurry a Committee which is dealing with matters of life and death. But I believe the Committee are on the point of reporting.