§ 5. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many aeroplanes, seaplanes, and pilots are at present with the China, East Indies and North American squadrons, respectively, or available for immediate service with those squadrons?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Amery)No aircraft are at present with these squadrons. All fleet aircraft will be available for service in any Waters as aircraft. carriers become available.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYAre steps being taken to supply these squadrons which are designed and placed for operating on wide stretches of sea where aeroplanes are of vital import?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYAre not the cruisers on these foreign stations permitted and able to carry their own aircraft, as in the War?
§ 10. Captain Viscount CURZONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the types of aeroplane which have to be engaged by a fighting aeroplane at sea; whether any other duties are required of such a. machine and when were the lighting aeroplanes now in use in the Royal Navy constructed?
§ Mr. AMERYThe types of aircraft which it is expected righting aeroplanes would have to engage at sea at the present time are as follows—other fighters, bombing, reconnaissance, torpedo and spotting aircraft, seaplanes and flying boats. They would also attack the enemy as and when opportunity offered. The information asked for in the last part of the question not in the possession of the Admiralty.
§ Viscount CURZONDoes my hon. Friend think six fighters plus three without pilots are sufficient to discharge these duties of the Navy?
§ 9. Viscount CURZONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Amiralty whether there is now at sea or capable of being worked at sea in the Royal Navy or the Navy of any other country in the world, so far as the information at the disposal of the Admiralty is concerned, an aeroplane capable of sinking one of our capital ships by either bomb or torpedo?