HC Deb 07 December 1927 vol 211 cc1378-9
52. Mr. HARDIE

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the fact of the comparatively advanced stage of the airship R.100 to that of the airship R.101; and if he can explain the disparity?

Sir P. SASSOON

The designs and methods of construction of R.100 and R.101 are essentially different, and the advanced stage of the erection of the framework of R.100 as compared with that of R.101 does not involve so great a disparity as might at first sight appear. I may add that a large amount of research and other work (including experimental flying with the R.33) has been carried out at Cardington simultaneously with the designing of the R. 101.

Mr. SKELTON

Is it the view of the Air Ministry that either R100 or R101 is of military value, or are they a useful way of squandering national finance?