§ 30. Mr. ROSEasked the Secretary of State for Air if he is now in a position to give an approximate date, weather permitting, for the launching of airships R 100 and R 101, respectively?
§ Sir S. HOAREI cannot as yet add anything to the previous statements I have made on this subject.
§ Mr. ROSEIf the right hon. Gentleman cannot give us the day, or the week, [...] 225 the month, can he give us the year, or say whether in the next 10 years we may hope to see these balloons go up?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have already told the hon. Member that I hope in the course of the year that both these airships will be flying.
§ 31. Mr. ROSEasked the Secretary of State for Air what, if any, arrangement has been or is being made with the Airship Guarantee Company, Limited, for the delay beyond contract time of delivery of Airship R 100; and will he state definitely the cause of such delay?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe postponement of the delivery of the airship R 100 has been due in part to difficulties connected with the production of an experimental design embodying many novel features, and in part to delay in the supply of materials as a result of the industrial dislocation of 1926. The latter contingency is covered by certain provisions of the contract.