§ 99. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for War whether the flying of the B.E. aeroplanes by officers of the Royal Flying Corps has again been stopped; if so, for what reason; and whether in all squadrons or in certain squadrons only?
§ Mr. H. BAKERNo, Sir.
§ 100. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked whether it is the intention to fit all B.E. aeroplanes with wings of a different type from those used at present; and, if so, whether this is being done because the present type of wing, which has to be twisted or warped in order to control the lateral balance of the machine, is considered unsafe; and, if so, why the change was not made before?
§ Mr. H. BAKERIt is contemplated that B.E. 2 aeroplanes shall in future have aileron instead of warp control. This is an improvement in design, and it must not be assumed that when an improved type of wing is adopted it is because the type displaced is unsafe. That is not so in this case.
§ 101. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked whether the rudders and elevator flaps on B.E. aeroplanes in use by the Royal Flying Corps are to be changed, or have been changed recently, for stronger ones; and, if so, whether the discovery that these organs of control were too weak was due to any of the recent fatal accidents to officers of the Royal Flying Corps, or to such organs bending or showing weakness when machines were being flown by pilots employed by the Royal Aircraft Factory?
§ Mr. H. BAKERThe steel tubing in the rudders of some B.E. aeroplanes is being replaced by tubing of increased size, not as the result of the accidents mentioned, but independently and in consequence of experience obtained by the flyers of the Royal Aircraft Factory. The rudders were not too weak, but everything observed which points to the possibility of improvements or increased safety is, of course, at once investigated.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSIs it merely a coincidence that this has taken place?
§ Mr. H. BAKERIt is a coincidence of a kind
§ 103. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for War whether the aero engine recently produced by the Royal Aircraft Factory has yet succeeded in completing a six-hour full-power test run; and whether it is the intention of the authorities to enter it in the aero engine competition against the products of the motor industry?
§ Mr. H. BAKERA six-hours' test run has been satisfactorily completed under the supervision of the inspector of engines. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.