§ 23. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air if he is in a position to state the result of recent experiments with the helicopter flying machine; whether experiments are being continued; whether he will consider offering a prize or bonus to inventors for successful flights made under, or improvements to, this system; and whether the Air Ministry is using all possible efforts to develop this system in view of its possibilities for commercial flying?
The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Captain Guest)In reply to the first and second parts of the hon. and gallant Member's question, I regret to say that the developments of the helicopter experiments are not yet sufficiently advanced to show definite results, but as soon as they have been obtained, full information will be given. Anyone who solves this problem will be sufficiently rewarded by the patents which he will retain and the number of orders which he will receive. The Air Ministry are conducting experiments in this direction, and are utilising the brains and money which are at their disposal in the way which seems to them to promise the best and speediest result.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the French have offered substantial prizes to anyone who solves the problem? Would it not be worth while for the Ministry also to offer prizes in view of the benefit that would be derived?
Captain GUESTThe system of bonuses and prizes for inventions was, as the hon. Gentleman knows, in operation during the War, but since then we have had to discontinue it.
§ 25. Mr. RAPERasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Air Ministry is financing experiments with a helicopter at or near Farnborough, which are being carried on by Mr. Brennan; if so, whether the Brennan helicopter has been given a trial; whether it has succeeded in rising from the ground; and what sum has been allocated for these experiments?
Captain GUESTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. To the second and third parts, in the negative, and to the fourth, that a sufficient sum has been allocated to enable these promising experiments to be continued.