§ 28. Mr. SIMMONDSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of. Royal Air Force flying-boats now in commission and reserve whose range, with normal service load, exceeds 1,500 miles?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe Royal Air Force. have at present no flying boats in commission whose range with normal service load exceeds 1,500 miles.
§ Mr. SIMMONDSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that several foreign Powers have considerable numbers of these boats, in particular Italy, which has several dozen; and can he promise to remedy this serious deficiency?
§ Sir P. SASSOONMy hon. Friend will realise that comparisons as to the per- 2575 formances of different types of aircraft of various countries cannot profitably be pursued by question and answer in the House. We are continually experimenting in flying boats. My answer referred to the normal service load and not to performance if there is extra tankage.
§ Mr. SIMMONDSDoes the hon. Gentleman's answer indicate that he is satisfied with the present position?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI did not say that I was satisfied, but that we were continuing to experiment in this matter.