§ 55. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Air if he can give particulars as to the number of giant steel masts which have been or are being erected along the route which will be taken by the new airship, R 101, on her flight to India; the approximate cost of each mast; and by whom the cost will be borne?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)Two mooring masts, one at Cardington and one at Ismailia, have been erected, and another mast is projected at Karachi. The combined 417 cost of the two first-named masts is approximately £100,000, and falls on the Imperial Exchequer. It is proposed that the cost of the mast at Karachi, which will be in the neighbourhood of £50,000, should be borne by India, and the Legislative Assembly has the matter under consideration at the present time.
§ 56. Mr. ROSEasked the Secretary of State for Air the present stage to which the construction of R. 101 has now been brought; and whether the fixed weights stipulation is likely to be exceeded or not?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs regards the first part of the question, I would suggest that the hon. Member should await my statement on the forthcoming Air Estimates, when I propose to give information in regard to the progress made in the construction of both the airships. As regards the last part, there is no fixed weights stipulation in the case of the R 101, and I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave the hon. Member on this subject on the 16th February.
§ 57. Mr. ROSEasked the Secretary of State for Air if the clause in the 1924 contract for the construction of airship R.100, which stipulates that the fixed weights are not to exceed 90 tons, is being strictly adhered to or has it been modified; and, if so, to what extent and for what reason?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe answer to the first part of the question is that the contract stipulation that the fixed weights of R.100 are not to exceed 90 tons has not been modified; the second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.