HC Deb 10 March 1927 vol 203 cc1516-7

Motion made, and Question proposed, That a sum, not exceeding £6,424,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the Expense of Technical and Warlike Stores of the Air Force (including Experimental and Research Services), which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1928.

Captain GARRO-JONES

It is very difficult for us in this short time to pick out the most serious items of expenditure here, but may I refer to two matters which I think require explanation? On page 22 there is an item, "High Altitude Training Chamber, £4,250," and another, "Seaplane Testing Tank, £15,00." I have had some personal experience of high-altitude testing chambers in the United States, and, instead of costing £4,250, they put it, in the United States, into the corner of an ordinary army hut and carried the tests out efficiently. I would like to know what a seaplane testing tank is and why it should cost so large a sum as this. Could the tests not be done equally well in a quiet corner at Southampton? Those items seem to indicate that there is extravagance in the Department.

Sir S. HOARE

A high-altitude training-chamber permits training for very difficult and dangerous work that has to be done by pilots flying at very great heights. I should certainly have thought that the figure which is mentioned is by no means excessive. It did not seem to me a very high sum. A seaplane testing tank is required for model tests for seaplanes. One of the difficulties of seaplane research at the present moment is that there is not sufficient tank accommodation for the tests which we find it necessary to make. It is an expensive equipment, and I think if the hon. and gallant Member looked into it he would find the sum here is not excessive.

Captain GARRO-JONES

I know how the work of the high altitude training was carried out in the United States. In regard to the seaplane testing tank, I will be glad if the hon. Baronet will give me the information which I desire on this item.

Resolutions to be reported To-morrow; Committee to sit again To-morrow.

The remaining orders were read and postponed.