§ 43. Mr. VIANTasked the Secretary of State for Air what amount has already been paid to the Air hip Guarantee Company in respect of the £50,000 voted towards the capital expenditure incurred in the construction of the new 5,000,000 cubic feet airship R 100, and in respect of the actual cost of the construction of the airship, respectively: and how far the construction of this ail ship has advanced?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs regards the first part of the question, the whole of the £50,000 voted towards the Airship Guarantee Company's capital expenditure on shed, plant, etc., together with £100,000 as a first instalment of the contract price of the airship, was paid to the company on the signature of the contract. As regards the second part, I am informed 2101 that the company have completed the tests considered necessary before, passing from the stage of design and research to that of construction, and are now snaking the girders for the hull of the airship.