§ 4. Major-General SEELYasked the Secretary of State for Air how many civil aircraft are now licensed by the Air Ministry as airworthy, and how many of this number are of value for war purposes; and can he give the comparable figures for the two preceding years?
| — | 1st June, 1922. | 1st June, 1921. | 1st June, 1920. |
| Number of Air craft holding Certificates of Airworthiness. | 97 | 137 | 240 |
| Number of value for War purposes (including training). | 83 | 104 | 186 |
§ There are probably in existence in this country at the present time considerably more than 97 airworthy aeroplanes, but owing to lack of employment and other causes, certain aeroplanes are laid up, and the owners have allowed the certificates to lapse. Though the 83 aeroplanes referred to above would be of some value for training and war purposes, it must be remembered that in this number there are no less than 28 different types of aeroplanes which reduces their military value.
514§ Major-General SEELYIn view of the surprising and alarming decrease in our only reserve of air power, can the right hon. Gentleman say, broadly—I cannot ask him to say in detail, in reply to a supplementary question—whether there is anything like that reduction in the case of other countries in their reserve fighting force in the air?
Captain GUESTI think it would be better to study that question carefully. Perhaps my right hon. and gallant Friend will put down a question.
§ Major-General SEELYI will do so.