§ 35. Mr. SIMMONDSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the number of deaths of pilots of the Flying Flea type of aircraft, he will arrange to test one of these aircraft in the large wind channel at Farnborough, in order that its flying qualities may be more fully investigated?
§ Sir P. SASSOONAn application to test an aircraft of the Flying Flea type has been under consideration, but so far it has been impossible to make the wind tunnel available owing to other and more urgent demands upon it. While it may be possible to arrange for a test in future, I am advised that as all aircraft of the Flying Flea type are not identical in design, a test of a single aircraft would not be conclusive as to the type in general.
§ Mr. SIMMONDSIn view of the fact that in addition to a number of civilians a number of senior serving officers in the Royal Air Force have recently been killed on this kind of aircraft, cannot the right hon. Gentleman take steps to make a practical test even if this wind channel should not be available?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe question dealt only with the wind channel.
§ Mr. LYONSHas the right hon. Gentleman received any report on the latest unfortunate casualty caused by one of these so-called aircraft last week?
§ Sir P. SASSOONNot yet.