§ 39. Mr. G. TERRELLasked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether, in view of the difficulty of aeroplanes being able to distinguish one another at night, he will see his way, for the purpose of encouraging inventors, to offer a substantial monetary prize to an inventor who will overcome the problem?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE to the AIR MINISTRY (Major Baird)The organisation under present conditions of anything in the nature of a prize competition for this purpose would, apart from other difficulties, involve a diversion of effort and labour which would outweigh any advantage likely to be derived. The existing system of rewards and the motives of patriotism are, I think, sufficent incentives to inventors.
§ Mr. TERRELLTo whom should inventors apply?
§ Major BAIRDThe Air Inventions Committee, 2, Clements Inn.
Sir F. HALLHow is it possible to distinguish enemy aeroplanes from our own aeroplanes at night-time?
§ Major BAIRDI scarcely think—
§ Major BAIRD—I should answer that question.
§ Mr. BILLINGBefore any departure is made in this direction, will the authorities take the advice of a night pilot as to whether it is not a fact that by making our own machines distinguishable they are simply locating them by the enemy, while the enemy machines cannot be located?
§ Major BAIRDI should desire notice of that question.