§ 75. Lieut.-Colonel BURGOYNEasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air 812 Ministry what competitions have been organised by the Government for the development of civil aviation; do these competitions pay regard to the possible military value of the designs to be entered; and does he consider that it is possible in the future development of flying to combine the dual functions of both war and peace with practicability?
Captain GUESTThe reply to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is that three competitions are being organised for the year 1920. They are to be open to small aeroplanes, large aeroplanes, and seaplanes, respectively, the seaplane competition being framed with the object of develoing a type of aircraft capable of alighting on and rising from land as well as water. The total prizes amount to £64,000. It is also under consideration whether, in addition to these, at a later date, a fourth competition should be organised for a large type of flying boat not required to possess amphibious qualities.
The reply to the second part of the question is that the above competitions are designed with a view to the attainment of safety and comfort of air travel. It is expected that a number of valuable lessons will be learned as the result of them, and many of these will undoubtedly be of great use from a military point of view. Where, however, military requirements diverge from safety requirements, the latter will be given the preference. In regard to the third part of the question, it seems probable that the designs of civil and military aircraft will diverge as time goes on. But, whatever class of aircraft is experimented with, certain improvements are sought for; those may be in regard to aerodynamic qualities, method of construction, reliability of engines or petrol installation, etc., and the knowledge thus gained can be used equally in designing now civil or military aircraft.