HC Deb 23 October 1912 vol 42 cc2165-8
11. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men are now employed at the Royal Aircraft Factory; and what proportion of them are engaged in inventing, and what proportion in manufacturing aeroplanes?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)

Three hundred and sixty-one men are employed at the factory, all on experimental work or at the repair or reconstruction of Service aircraft. None are employed in manufacturing new aeroplanes.

12. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked how many machines of the type B E2 are now on order in private firms; how many are under order for construction in the Royal Aircraft Factory; how many private firms have recently received orders for parts only of aeroplanes; and how many aero planes will such parts make up?

Mr. TENNANT

Thirteen aeroplanes of B E 2 type are on order, and are now due from private firms. No aeroplanes are under order for construction in the factory, and no orders have been given to private firms for parts only.

13. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked how many effective aeroplanes are now owned by the British Army, and how many of them are of English manufacture?

Mr. TENNANT

Thirty-six effective aeroplanes are in the possession of the British Army, of which twelve are at the Central Flying School. Of these nineteen are of English manufacture. In addition, four machines are under reconstruction at the Royal Aircraft Factory.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

How does that compare with the number owned by foreign Powers?

Mr. TENNANT

I should like to have notice of that question.

MARQUESS Of TULLIBARDINE

How many are monoplanes and how many biplanes?

Mr. TENNANT

The question of monoplanes and biplanes is the subject of an inquiry by a Committee. I am answering a question on this later on.

14. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked how many officers and men are now actually enrolled in the Army branch of the Royal Flying Corps, and how many of them are efficient pilots?

Mr. TENNANT

The figures are as follows:—

Officers—
Gazetted 24
Appointed, but not yet gazetted 6
Accepted, but not yet appointed 93
N.C.O's. and men 440
making a total of 123 officers and 440 noncommissioned officers and men. Of the latter 173 have not yet been fully enrolled.
Pilots.
Officers—
Efficient military pilots 23
Undergoing military training as pilots 28
With R.A.C. certificate only 40
N.C.O's. and men (second-class pilots) 6
making a total of 97.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

How many applications for officers and men to be enrolled are still pending?

Mr. TENNANT

I must ask for notice of that question.

15 and 17. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Secretary of State for War (15) whether, in consequence of the recent Army tests of aeroplanes, he and his advisers have arrived at any decision as to the best form of machine for use in the Army Flying Corps; and whether his prohibition of monoplanes is intended to be permanent; and (17) whether any decision has been arrived at with regard to the use in future of monoplanes by the Army aviation branch?

Mr. TENNANT

As a result of the competition, valuable information as to suitable types of aeroplanes for military use have been obtained, but the Army Council does not propose, at the present stage, to decide upon any particular type for exclusive use. As regards monoplanes, a scientific committee is now considering certain structural questions, and monoplanes will not be used in the military wing until the Committee has reported.

MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

Will the decision be announced1 as soon as possible in the interests of the firms which at the request of the War Office went in for the manufacture of monoplanes?

Mr. TENNANT

The decision will, of course, be arrived at as soon as possible. But there must be considerable experiments.

Mr. LEE

How many have we actually built?

Mr. TENNANT

I stated in answer to the previous question that we have thirty-six.

Mr. LEE

Exclusive of monoplanes?

Mr. TENNANT

Yes, I imagine so. I am not sure.