HC Deb 09 December 1925 vol 189 cc447-8
61. Brigadier-General WARNER

asked the Secretary of State for Air the percentage of fatal flying accidents that have occurred in the Royal Air Force from 1st January, 1924, to 1st September, 1924, and from 1st January, 1925, to 1st September, 1925, in comparison with the number of hours flown in each period?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Major Sir Philip Sassoon)

The number of aircraft hours flown per fatal accident during the period in 1925 referred to was greater by 92 per cent. than the figure for the corresponding period in 1924. I need hardly remind my hon. and gallant Friend that it would be unwise to draw too definite deductions from comparative figures taken over arbitrarily selected periods, but, as he will see, there has been a most striking and satisfactory decrease in the ratio of casualties to hours flown.

Brigadier-General WARNER

Is this most satisfactory diminution in fatal flying accidents due to the initiation of any new system of training, or in the training of young pilots is any new type of special aeroplanes being used?

Sir P. SASSOON

It is the general increase in efficiency all round, and the causes mentioned by ray hon. and gallant Friend may have played a part.

Brigadier-General WARNER

Thank you. It is most satisfactory.

Mr. HARDIE

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us if non-flammable fuel is being used for aeroplanes?