§ 55. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what alterations are being made to airship R 101; when she will be ready for further flights; when she will make her projected flight to India; and when the trials of airship R 100 will take place?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEAs regards the first part of the question, the work in progress on R 101 consists of minor modifications which the trials have shown to be desirable and practicable, such as the enlargement of the gas bag wiring and the removal of equipment and fittings which the trials have shown not to be required. In addition, it is proposed further to increase the efficiency of the airship by the insertion of an additional bay. As regards the second and third parts, the airship will resume flying as so-on as these alterations are completed; I am not, therefore, as yet in a position to give a definite date for her first flight to India. As regards the last part of the question, R 100 was flown successfully from Howden to Cardington on Monday, and her flying trials from the Cardington tower have commenced.
§ Mr. HAYCOCKHas my hon. Friend made any arrangements for a further Parliamentary trip?
§ Major GEORGE DAVIESCan the hon. Gentleman give us any idea of what the additional cost of these alterations is likely to be, approximately?
Captain BALFOURAre these alterations in any way going to reduce the factor of safety for which the airship has been designed?
§ Mr. MONTAGUECertainly not; quite the contrary.