§ 71. Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for Air whether Sir Ross Smith was wearing any form of parachute on the occasion of his fatal accident; and what steps the Air Ministry is taking to investigate the possibilities of prevention of accidents by the wearing of parachutes?
The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Captain Guest)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It should be borne in mind that a parachute is only of value where the accident occurs at sufficient altitude from the ground to give time for the occupants to extricate themselves and jump clear of the machine, and for the parachute to open before reaching the ground. In the case of such accidents as that which resulted in the death of Sir Ross Smith, everything happens so quickly that there is no time or opportunity to escape by parachute. In answer to the second part of the question—the possible uses of a parachute in an aeroplane for life-saving purposes is receiving the closest study by the Research Department.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether his Department is likely in the near future to make recommendations in regard to the definite use of parachutes? Will he go as far as that?
Captain GUESTThe suggested limitations to the use of parachutes are already indicated in my reply to the right hon. Gentleman's question.