12. Captain FABERasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the public safety of accidents investigation committee of the Royal Aero Club on the fatal accident to Lieutenant Rogers Harrison on 28th April when flying a Cody biplane, which Report states that the fabric with which the aeroplane was covered was weak; that the aeroplane had structurally deteriorated since it was built in 1911; and that its condition at the time of flight was precarious; whether the responsibility for allowing an 1409 aeroplane to be used in this condition rests on the officer commanding the Military Wing, and, if not, on whom does it rest; if he will state what other aeroplanes are in a similar condition, in view of the recent purchase of second-hand machines; and whether, looking at a similar accident to Lieutenant Arthur under similar conditions, he will say what steps, if any, he is taking to prevent the continuation of this loss of life through neglect of duty?
§ Mr. TENNANTI would ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman to refer to my reply to a question put by the hon. Gentleman the Member for the Wirral Division on Wednesday, 4th June, on the subject, and to a full statement which I made during the Debate on Army Estimates on Thursday, 5th June.
Captain FABERDid the Secretary of State ever say who was responsible for the state of these aeroplanes when they went up, and is therefore responsible for the deaths of these men?
§ Mr. TENNANTI do not know.