§ 44. Mr. VIANTasked the Secretary of State for Air the number of British aeroplanes which have been wrecked during the last year from 30th June, 1925, to date; how many of these aeroplanes were new and how many were machines with reconditioned war-time engines; the estimated value of these machines; the number of men injured and the number of men killed during the same period: and how these casualties compare with those in the air forces of other countries?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs the answer is somewhat long, and contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ As regards the first two parts of the question, 70 aeroplanes of post-War design and 192 of War design were written off Air Force charge after crashing during the period 30th June, 1925, to 30th June, 1926.
§ As regards the third part, the undepreciated value of the machines involved in these crashes was roughly £500,000; the value of parts salved cannot be estimated without undue labour.
§ As regards the fourth part, the numbers of Royal Air Force personnel killed and injured in flying accidents during the same period were 65 and 89, respectively. In addition, two Army officers and two officers of the Royal Air Force Reserve were killed.
§ As regards the last part, these casualties compare favourably with those of other air forces.