§ 27. Mr. PERKINSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement as to why six out of the seven machines belonging to No. 102 squadron failed to reach Frimingley aerodrome on 12th December?
§ 30. Wing-Commander WRIGHTasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why it was necessary for the four occupants of the Royal Air Force machine which crashed at Oldham on Saturday, 12th December, to leave this machine by parachute?
§ 31. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can state the causes of the fatal accidents to Royal Air Force machines on Saturday, 12th December, and why only one of the seven machines flying from Northern Ireland to Yorkshire reached its destination safely; whether these accidents were in any way due to the formation of ice on the wings of the machines concerned; and for what reason these heavy bombing machines are not fitted with de-icing equipment?
§ 32. Mr. SANDYSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has any statement to make regarding the accidents which occurred to machines belonging to No. 102 squadron, Royal Air Force, on 12th December?
§ Sir P. SASSOONAs I explained yesterday, the circumstances of the accidents are being fully investigated by 2448 Courts of Inquiry. The points in my hon. Friends' questions are among those which will be thoroughly considered in the investigation, and each will be dealt with in the statement which I have promised to make to the House in due course. The same applies to the specific questions raised yesterday by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Thanet (Captain Balfour) and I am glad to be able to give the House this definite assurance. I am certain that the House will recognise that it would be improper and unfair for me at this stage to attempt to segregate the various matters which are the subject of the closest investigation by the Courts of Inquiry.
§ Mr. PERKINSCan the Under-Secretary give an assurance to the House that, in spite of the Press reports of this accident and the great publicity it has received, the Royal Air Force will continue to fly in bad weather, and will be encouraged to fly in bad weather; also, whether it is not the fact that the fatal accidents which have occurred during the last 12 months are about one-tenth of the corresponding figures for the German air force during the same period?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe answer to the first question is certainly in the affirmative, and from the information I have received I should say that the answer to the second question is also in the affirmative.
§ Mr. PALINGCould not some of the questions which have been asked concerning this accident have been answered without interfering with the business of the court which is inquiring into it—without going behind their back?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI think the House will realise that it would be unfair to deal with certain question in regard to a case which is being examined by a court of inquiry. They will have to examine the conduct of the officers concerned.
§ Mr. PALINGDoes that apply to questions as to whether the machines were equipped with a certain apparatus or not? That is a question which can be answered "Yes" or "No."
§ 29. Mr. PERKINSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what types of machines are supplied to No. 102 2449 squadron; when this type was first designed; and in what year the first machine of this type was supplied to the Royal Air Force?
§ Sir P. SASSOONNo. 102 squadron is equipped with Heyfords. The first production specification for this type was issued in November, 1932, and supply to the Royal Air Force commenced in November, 1933. The aircraft of No. 102 squadron are to specifications of 1934 and 1935.