AIRSHIPS (R 100).

HC Deb 25 November 1931 vol 260 cc386-7

18. Mr. PERKINS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can state the total cost of the R 100 and the sum realised from the sale of the ship?

19. Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what was the total expended by the nation on the airship R 100; what price has been obtained for the sale of this ship; and whether the Government intend to continue further experiments and construction of airships?

22. Mr. WELLS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will state the price obtained for the airship R 100; and if the purchasers will break up and remove the airship from Cardington?

Sir P. SASSOON

The cost a the R 100 may be put at £363,000, exclusive of the cost of the flight to Canada and back, other experimental flights and subsequent maintenance charges. As regards the sum to be realised from its sale, while it is not customary to disclose contract prices, there would, of course, in view of the exceptional circumstances, be no Departmental objection to so doing. The contractors have, however, requested, for ordinary commercial reasons, that the price shall not be disclosed. This request is clearly reasonable and my Noble Friend would prefer to make no statement on the subject for the present, though he will take steps to inform the House of the precise amount in due course. I may, however, say that the vessel has been sold to be broken up at Cardington as scrap, exclusive of the engines and one bay (which latter is being retained for experimental purposes) and that the price obtained naturally represents only a fraction of the original cost. As regards future airship policy, I would refer the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) to the Prime Minister's statement of the 11th September last on the Second Reading of the National Economy Bill.

Mr. WELLS

Will the purchasers break up this ship at Cardington and will they use labour from the locality?

Sir P. SASSOON

I believe that at least 75 per cent. of Cardington men will he employed.

Mr. WELLS

Was this ship offered for sale to any Government overseas before it was decided to scrap it?

Sir P. SASSOON

I could not answer that question without notice.

Captain BALFOUR

May we take it that the sale of this ship was by competitive tender and that the highest price was taken?

Sir P. SASSOON

Yes, Sir.