§ 68. Mr. ROSEasked the Secretary of State for Air the total amount expended upon the experiments in connection with the Brennan helicopter from the beginning until the abandonment of the design last year; and whether the country is under any further obligation to the inventor?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe total amount expended over the seven years during which the experiments have been proceeding at Farnborough is estimated at £55,000. As regards the second part of the question, Mr. Brennan's contract with the Air Ministry expires on the 31st March next, and I am not aware that he has any contractual relations with other Departments of State.
§ Sir S. HOAREThe money has not been wasted. We learnt very valuable lessons from the experience gained.
§ Mr. ROSEDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that seven or eight years' work and an expenditure of £55,000 on 523 a thing that is smashed as soon as it was started is valuable? To whom is it valuable?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe hon. Member can draw his own conclusions. In my view it has been of value to the Air Ministry and the State generally.