§ 17. Viscount CURZONasked the Secretary of State for Air what is the number of marine craft maintained by the Air Ministry; where are they built and where are they repaired; how many men are required to man them; and where do they obtain their nautical knowledge?
Captain GUESTThe answer to the first, question is that. the establishment of marine craft maintained in use in connection with the operation and salving of aircraft is as follows:
There is also a surplus of War stocks of marine craft which is held as a reserve 666 and for replacement. These craft were, for the most part, taken over by the Admiralty on the formation of the Air Force in 1918; to the second, that the information as regards building is not in all cases available, but the craft have mainly been built by Messrs. Thornycroft, Messrs. Cox and King, and Messrs. Gibbs. The repairs are carried out by direct contract; to the third, that the answer is 127; to the last, that training is for the most part carried out in the Royal Air Force units to which the boats belong and also at a small marine training establishment at Calshot.
Power-driven craft 35 Pulling boats 21 Barges, etc. 3
§ Viscount CURZONDo the figures just given include any craft which are maintained on the Tigris?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOORE-BRABAZONIs it a fact that the Navy has not enough room on its carriers for the number of machines already supplied to it by the Air Ministry?
§ Mr. ROSEDoes the right hon. Gentleman regard the details which he has given as consistent with the public interest? Is it right that these things should be made public and copied into the stunt Press for some purpose, we know not what?