HC Deb 21 March 1928 vol 215 cc363-4
30. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Secretary of State for Air what preliminary air trials had been carried out with the seaplane used by Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead in the recent effort to beat the speed record?

33. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Secretary of State for Air if be can give particulars of the recent flying practice carried out by Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead on high-speed seaplanes?

The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)

Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead had been engaged in high-speed flying since early in 1927, he had had experience of various types of high-speed aircraft, and he had flown one of the machines, the Gloster IV, in the Schneider trophy race last September. The machine which he was using when he met with his most deeply regretted accident was a reproduction of the machine which then won the Schneider trophy, and he had given it a preliminary practice flight on the day before his death.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Could my right hon. Friend say whether some form of ethyl petrol was being used, and whether the rumour that the fumes incapacitated Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead was true or not?

Sir S. HOARE

I think that my hon. and gallant Friend had better give me notice of that question, but I can say in a sentence that there is no evidence to show that the fumes had anything to do with the accident.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Was some form of ethyl petrol used?

Sir S. HOARE

As I say, I should have to have notice of that question.

Mr. LAWSON

In view of the fact that the conditions were so bad on the day an which the accident occurred, was there some special reason why the flight should have taken place on that day?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is the subject of another question.

Mr. COMPTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of Question No. 32 which asks about the conditions of visibility?

Sir S. HOARE

That question has not yet been reached.

Captain CROOKSHANK

May I ask what practical use is achieved by experiments at these very high speeds?

Sir S. HOARE

They are of very great practical use. We have found that high-speed trials have resulted in distinct advances in the matter of engines, in the design of aircraft, and in the design of floats.

Dr. VERNON DAVIES

Has the right hon. Gentleman yet received the result of the post-mortem examination?

Sir S. HOARE

No, Sir ; the inquest has been adjourned.

32. Mr. LAWSON (for Mr. BROMLEY)

asked the Secretary of State for Air the rank of the officer responsible for ensuring that the recent attempt to achieve a seaplane speed record took place under the most favourable weather conditions for safe flight; whether this officer was present when the attempt was made by Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead; and whether he received a forecast of the conditions of visibility anticipated during a period when snowstorms were occurring?

Sir S. HOARE

Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead was himself the officer in charge of the high-speed flying section of the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, and as such was responsible for the arrangements for the attempt. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

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