§ 61 and 62. Mr. MONTAGUEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1) whether Army co-operation work may take the form of private passenger flights with the consent of the military authorities;
(2) whether aeroplanes used for Army co-operation work are in any cases supplied by private firms letting out machines; and, if so, what terms and form of contract are agreed upon?
§ Sir P. SASSOONCivil aircraft have, in the interests of economy, been hired for anti-aircraft co-operation practice on many occasions during the last three years. The main terms of the contract provide that the air transport company concerned will provide an aeroplane to fly over named areas for so many hours between such and such dates, but all risks to pilots, passengers (except Army personnel carried with due authority), aeroplane and third parties will rest with the contractor, and that hours of actual cooperation will be paid for at specified rates. Otherwise there is no reference to the carriage of passengers, which is thus at the company's discretion, provided they perform the specific service required of them in the contract.