§ 63. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air how many large type flying boats of modern design are available for the service of the Royal Navy in home waters; how many in the Mediterranean and East Indies, respectively; whether any arrangements are in existence for towing these large flying boats in special towing lighters; and how many pilots trained in flying this type of craft are on the active list?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Lieut.-Colonel Sir Samuel Hoare)In answer to the first part of the question, the number of large-type flying boats actually in commission and available for service with the Navy is 10 in home waters. As regards the Mediterranean, five flying boats have been miantained, but are now being replaced by float planes by agreement with the Admiralty. None are in use in the East Indies. The desirability of their provision will be considered in connection with the formation of the base at Singapore, but the present policy is to concentrate on experimental types and to avoid large expenditure on types which may soon be superseded in design. No arrangements are at present made for special towing lighters, but there is a floating dock which can be towed and will accommodate two of the largest flying boats. The number of polits trained to fly this type of aircraft is not recorded separately from those flying other similar types, but they considerably exceed the number of boats in commission.