§ 4. Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the three hydro-aeroplanes mentioned in the official list of vessels to take part in the naval manoeuvres are the only representatives of the air service that will be engaged; and whether the Navy will, by the opening of the manœuvres, possess seventy-five efficient machines and seventy-five pilots, as promised in March?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIn addition to the three hydro-aeroplanes that will be carried by His Majesty's ship "Hermes," hydro-aeroplanes will operate from the coast. Owing to lateness in delivery of machines from the manufacturers and a few accidents, the number of machines possessed by the Navy will fall somewhat short of anticipation. The number of pilots anticipated will be reached.
§ 5. Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Navy possesses any sheds for the accommodation of airships nearer to the East Coast than Farnborough; if not, whether this is the reason why no vessels of this class are included in the list of ships to take part in the manœuvres; on what date was the contract placed for the construction of the airship shed in the Medway Valley; and what is the contract date for completion?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo airship sheds in the vicinity of the East Coast are completed yet. The naval airships have not yet completed their trials, and there has not been sufficient experience with them to employ 361 them during the manœuvres. The contract for the construction of the shed in the Medway Valley was placed on the 6th January last. The original contract date for completion was the 6th October next. Additional work has been ordered, which will extend the date for completion to the end of the year.