§ Mr. H. A. WATT(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for War whether complaints have been received of the machines provided for the use of a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps which is due to leave for the front this week; whether these machines are a British copy of a successful French design; whether they have been reported as inherently unstable and dangerous in landing; whether only two of these out of five arrived safely in a recent squadron flight from one aerodrome to another; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Major BAIRD(representing the Air Board): The first trial of the aeroplane referred to 734 in my hon. Friend's question gave rise to certain criticisms. It was therefore sent to the Expeditionary Force for further trial in comparison with French-built machines of the same type, and the report on it was favourable except for two minor matters which are being attended to. The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I am informed that the machine is not inherently unstable, and not unduly difficult to land, though no doubt not a. beginner's machine. Nothing is known of the incident referred to in the fourth part of the question. I may add that exactly the same type of machine is and has been for some time past constantly and successfully used against the enemy by the Royal Naval Air Service.