HC Deb 21 May 1928 vol 217 c1511
50. Sir F. HALL

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of Air Force machines which are fitted with safety-wing slots; what was the number of machines which met with fatal accidents in 1927; and how many of the machines involved were fitted with slotted wings?

The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for South Hackney (Captain Garro-Jones) on the 16th May. As regards the remaining parts, my hon. and gallant Friend is perhaps not aware that machines fitted with slotted wings were not taken into service in squadrons until the beginning of the present year. He will appreciate that, in these circumstances, the particulars asked for are not relevant.

Sir F. HALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that all the advantages that are claimed for the slotted wing are to be obtained, and, if so, will he take all the necessary steps to press on so that the existing number of machines may be fitted with them as quickly as possible?

Sir S. HOARE

Yes, we are pressing on as quickly as we can. I gave figures in reply to the hon. Member for South Hackney last week, and we are pressing on as rapidly as we can.