§ 7. Mr. BILLINGasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the wing fabric of a new aeroplane built in England to French design burst in the air recently; whether this accident was due to the French structural design having been altered by an official or officers of the Royal Naval Air Service; whether this accident indicates that such alteration would have been a source of danger to pilots on active service; and whether steps have been taken to prevent a repetition of such tampering by Admiralty officials with designs of approved excellence?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs regards the first part of the question, such an accident did occur. It was not due to faulty design. Neither is it true to say that it was due to alteration in design by an official or officers of the Royal Naval Air Service.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the fabric which was put in place of three-ply wood caused this accident, and that it was done against the advice of the constructor, but the Admiralty insisted upon it?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot say that. The hon. Member must give me notice of the question.
§ 8. Mr. BILLINGasked whether any officer or official at present concerned with the construction or origination of aeroplanes or who has planned designs for the Royal Naval Air Service has ever produced a successful flying machine heavier than our type; whether any such machines have been used on active service; whether several officers who have produced successful designs before the War and joined the Royal Naval Air Service on or about the outbreak of the War have left the service and entered the employment of private firms; and whether the residue have been proved to possess sufficient ability to justify their being entrusted with the approval, alteration, or condemnation of designs produced by private constructors of approved experience?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, officers have been allowed to resign their commissions in order to enter the employment of private firms where it has been clear that their experience and technical knowledge would be of advantage in the production of machines, and, therefore, in the public interest. As regards the last part of the question, the hon. Gentleman is, of course, aware that the general question of the design of aircraft is now a matter which is dealt with by the Air Board. That being so, it does not appear to me that any useful purpose would be served by discussing by way of question and answer the abilities of the technical officers of the Royal Naval Air Department.
§ Mr. BILLINGCan the right hon. Gentleman give me the name of any type or the name of any given machine which these officers have designed which has been successful?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe hon. Gentleman must put that question on the Paper.