HC Deb 09 December 1919 vol 122 c1105
10. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the French Government have recently granted a sum of about £4,000 to aid inventors in carrying put experiments with the Helicopter type of flying machine.; whether the Air Ministry are alive to the very great importance of such experiments; whether all encouragement is being given to British inventors who may wish to experiment with this system; and whether any sums of money have been granted for such experiments?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The answer to the first and second parts of this question is in the affirmative. The answer to the third and fourth parts is that any proposals for a Helicopter type flying machine brought to the notice of the Air Ministry are sympathetically considered and such financial assistance as appears proper is given. Adequate financial provision has already been made for the purpose. Since June, 1916, this line of research has been continually explored, and I am personally familiar with the details of the progress made with these experiments, in which, while Minister of Munitions, I took a great interest.