§ 40. Mr. WELLSasked the Secretary of State for Air how much money has been spent on the preliminary experimental work in connection with the proposed Airship R.101; and what the total cost of building this airship is likely to be?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe expenditure on experiments and research in connection with airships is approximately £260,000, spread over the last three years. As regards the second part, the actual building of R.101 (labour and materials) will involve, it is estimated, a sum of £280,000.
§ Sir FRANK MEYERDoes not the whole history of this scheme provide conclusive proof that the State is unsuited to carry out this commercial enterprise
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir. We think we had better wait until the experiment is complete before we give a judgment of that kind.
§ Sir F. WISEWhen will R.101 be launched?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have already stated that I hope that sometime during next year both airships will be flying.
Captain CROOKSHANKIs not one of the measures of disarmament now under discussion at Geneva the total abolition of all airships in all countries?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir. I do not think that arises out of this question, but the answer is in the negative.
§ 41. Mr. WELLSasked the Secretary of State for Air if the final design of the proposed airship R.101 has been approved; and if he is allowing for considerably greater structural strength than was at first considered necessary, in view of the fact that the airship company building the R.100 consider it necessary to build at twice the strength originally planned?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs regards the first part of the question the designs of both the R.100 and the R.101 are being exam fined by two distinguished scientists of great experience in such questions, and until their examination is concluded formal approval of the designs cannot be finally given. As regards the second part, I understand from the information already supplied in connection with the examination above referred to, that the designers of both airships are working closely to the scheme of factors of safety laid down in the Report of the Airworthiness of Airships Panel of the Aeronautical Research Committee.
§ Mr. WELLSCan my right hon. Friend say if there is close co-operation between the airship company and the Government in the designing of these two airships?
§ Sir S. HOAREYes, Sir, so far as I know, very close.
§ 42. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the erection of the structure of R.101 has yet started; and, if not, on what date erection will be started?
§ Sir S. HOAREErection of the hull cannot begin until the transverse and longitudinal girders are ready for assembly, the procedure being to assemble the shorter girders into transverse rings on the ground, sling them into upright position and join them together with the longitudinals. Work on the girders is proceeding and assembly will begin, I hope, very shortly. As I stated in the House on 17th March, a great deal of work has been done on the construction of the component parts.
§ 43. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Secretary of State for Air whether R.101 is to be used for naval purposes; and whether the final design was discussed with the Admiralty?
§ Sir S. HOAREI think my hon. and gallant Friend will find that his question is already answered by the reply which he received to the question addressed by him to the Prime Minister on 11th March, 1926. The position remains unaltered.
§ 44. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the official opinion is still adhered to that R.101 will be able to carry 200 soldiers, together with a whole squadron of aeroplanes; if so, what weight will be available when carrying this load for fuel, crew and ballast; and what is the estimated distance she could fly with such a load?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs regards the first part of the question, my hon. and gallant Friend is apparently under a misapprehension; the official opinion, as expressed by me in the House on 10th March last, was that the R.101 should be able to carry 200 soldiers or alternatively a squadron of aeroplanes. As regards the remaining parts, I would refer him to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Rose), on 17th March.
§ Sir S. HOAREYes, Sir. That is one of the objects we have in view.
§ Commander BELLAIRSDid my right hon. Friend give an answer as to the distance that she can fly with such a load on her?
§ Sir S. HOAREIf my hon. and gallant Friend will turn to the answer given on the 17th March, he will find that I did give the distance flown.
§ Mr. WALLHEADWill she ever fly at all?