§ 20. Mr. HALL-CAINE(for Mr. CHORLTON) asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if any further attempts are to be made with special machines for long-distance flights; and what advance in engine design and in economy of fuel used has been achieved as a result of the Royal Air Force long-distance flights, to enable such long flights to be made regularly practicable?
§ Sir P. SASSOONIn reply to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the full statement of the policy of His Majesty's Government in this regard winch was made by my Noble Friend in July. I am unable to add to this statement, which received the fullest publicity. As regards the second part, the past non-stop flights have certainly assisted in furthering the progress of 1284 engine design, especially as regards fuel economy. For example, it may be stated that on the South African flight with the Fairey monoplane, the specific consumption of the Napier Lion engine was reduced to a minimum of.43 pints per brake-horse-power-hour, as compared with a figure of.54 for the standard engine at the time, under normal conditions.