§ 23. Brigadier-General SURTEESasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the strongly held opinion that the casualties to our airmen during the War could have been considerably decreased, and the morale similarly increased, if parachutes had been fitted to their machines in the same way as the 1093 Germans were able latterly to do to theirs, he can say if parachutes are now being fitted as standard to Army machines in order to protect pilots as much as possible from the dangers of fire, collapse, and collision in the air?
§ Major TRYONI have been asked to reply to this question. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that this matter is receiving very careful consideration. Arrangements have been made to provide a large number of training machines with parachutes of a standard pattern and the work in connection with the modification of existing types of fighting machines to enable parachutes to be carried is being proceeded with, but some time must elapse before all existing machines are modified in this direction. It, has also been laid down that the best method of fitting the machines with parachutes shall be considered as and when new designs are submitted.