§ 39. Captain R. TERRELLasked the Secretary of State for India whether the supply of aeroplanes on the North-West Frontier has been adequate; and whether there has been any adverse criticisms of the types of machines employed?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Major-General Seely)Owing to transport difficulties, there has been delay in supplying the forces of India with the required number of machines of suitable types. These deficiencies will have been remedied at a very early date.
§ Mr. BILLINGWas the officer responsible for selecting these types of machine an officer experienced in aviation in India, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that machines which will fly in this country will not fly in India?
§ Major-General SEELYThe officers concerned had full knowledge of that fact. It is a fact that suitable machines could not be got to India in time owing to extraordinary difficulties of transport, but that is being remedied.
§ Captain TERRELLWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, and say whether there has been any adverse criticisms on the types of machines employed?
§ Major-General SEELYYes, from here and from there. We did not get the right type of machine for the purpose, but that is being remedied. We could not get them there owing to the shortage of ships.