§ 16. Captain HAROLD BALFOURasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of twin-engine Virginia-type night-bombers in regular and auxiliary Royal Air Force squadrons; the date of issue of the original specification of this type; whether any of the new squadrons are to use Virginias; and when it is anticipated that these aircraft will be withdrawn from units as obsolete?
§ 17. Lieut.-Colonel MOORE-BRABAZON.asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air with what type of aeroplane it is intended to arm the new night-bombing squadrons to be formed?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)There are two regular and two non-regular squadrons at present equipped with aircraft of this type, which were produced under a specification dated 19th June, 1931. Arrangements have been made for these squadrons to be supplied with aircraft of a later type in the course of the present year. It may be necessary, as a temporary measure, pending delivery of aircraft of a later type, to utilise existing Virginia aircraft to equip the night-bomber squadron which is to be formed this year.
§ Captain BALFOURMay I ask whether the specifications for the Virginia type 958 which were made in 1931 were a modification of specifications made in 1922, when the first machines were constructed?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThey were a modification.
§ Captain BALFOURIf modifications are considered sufficient for modernising aircraft, why have any further investigations?