§ 67. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air what petrol was Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead using when he was killed; and whether there is any evidence to show that the fumes from this petrol disabled the deceased officer?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs regards the first part of the question, the fuel used by Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead was a special 562 fuel which has been used by the Experimental Establishment and by two service squadrons for prolonged tests. It contains a proportion of tetra-ethyl of lead. It is the same fuel as that used in the preliminary practice and in the Schneider Cup race last year. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESCan the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of tetra-ethyl it contains?
§ Sir S. HOAREI dare say I could, if notice were given of the question.
§ Mr. HARDIECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any experiments have taken place in regard to these fumes, whether any reports have been made, and whether any of the reports contain a statement as to what happens to the lead after exhaustion through an engine valve? Is it suspended in the air, or what takes place?
§ Sir S. HOAREI am afraid that I cannot answer that question without notice.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThe right hon. Gentleman says that there is no evidence to show that the fumes disabled this deceased officer. Is there evidence to show that he was not disabled by the fumes? Was the evidence thoroughly negative?
§ Sir S. HOAREI would prefer not to give an answer to that question until the inquest is finished. The inquest has been adjourned.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not necessary to have fumes, in order to get the bad effects from the lead?
§ Sir S. HOAREWe are following the question very closely and the medical officers of the Royal Air Force have been instructed to investigate it very carefully. I cannot say more than that.