§ 20. Mr. GARRO JONESasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many apparatus known as wind-tunnels are available to assist in the solution of aerodynamic problems and the testing of wing surfaces?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThere are in all 14 wind-tunnels of various sizes and characteristics at Government establishments. Five of these wind-tunnels are at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, and nine at the National Physical Laboratory. With the exception of one tunnel at Farnborough they are equipped to take models only, not full-scale aircraft fuselages. There are also some wind-tunnels at the works of private firms, and at certain Universities.
§ Mr. GARRO JONESAre any experiments in aero-dynamic problems being held up on account of the fact that there is only one full-sized tunnel available?
§ Sir P. SASSOONNo, Sir; the provision is quite adequate.
§ Mr. GARRO JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many civil aviation problems are being held up on account of the fact that there is only one tunnel available? That is equally important, if not more important, than the military problem.
§ Sir P. SASSOONPerhaps the hon. Member will tell me what problems.
§ Mr. GARRO JONESDoes the right hon. Gentleman recollect that he himself said that experiments on the dangers of the "Flying Flea," for example, could not be carried out owing to the fact that there was only one tunnel available?
§ Sir P. SASSOONWe are in the midst of a very important programme at Farnborough, but, if a "Flying Flea" is sent, we will undertake to carry out experiments on it with the minimum possible delay. I would point out, however, that experiments on one "Flying Flea" would not apply to many other types of Flea.