§ 37. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for Air if he can state the makers of the parachute now in use in the Royal Air Force, and in which country these parachutes are made; whether any recent tests have been made or demonstrations given for the use of the Salvator parachute invented by Lieutenant Freri, either at Hendon or elsewhere; and, if so, when and with what result?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)As regards the first part of the question, the makers are the Irving Air Chute of Great Britain, Limited, of Letchworth, where the parachutes are being made. As regards the remaining parts,, the position remains as stated in my reply to the hon. Member on the 15th December last.
§ Colonel DAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Salvator parachute has never failed yet, and does he not think the saving of life is of paramount importance?
§ Sir S. HOAREI should not like to express an opinion on the Salvator parachute until we have carried our experiments further than we have done.
§ 38. Major-General Sir FREDERICK SYKESasked the Secretary of State for Air whether delivery of the 2,230 parachutes against orders outstanding on 7th August, 1925, was duly completed by December, 1926; whether, in accordance with the arrangements made, one-third of these were manufactured in this country; whether further orders have been placed; if so, whether manufacture will take place in this country; whether British material will be used; and whether,, before any such order was placed, every available British type of parachute was thoroughly tried out?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs regards the first and second parts of the question, the number of parachutes due for delivery by December, 1926, was 1,500 and these were all actually delivered in June, 1926, the contract date thus being anticipated by some months. The contract was for 2,261 parachutes in all, as stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich on the 25th November, 1925, and of these 7G1 were to be manufactured in this country and are at present in process of delivery. The answer to the third and fourth parts is in the affirmative. As regards the fifth part, all the material and components other than the silk will be British. As regards the last part, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave him on the 25th November, 1925, and to my speeches in the House, on 26th February and 24th June,, 1925, explaining the circumstances in which the contract with the Irving Company was placed.
§ Colonel DAYCan the right hon. Baronet say whether we are pledged to take a further contract for any further number next year?
§ Sir S. HOAREThere is a contract running until December, 1927.