§ 25 and 26. Sir M. Sueterasked the Secretary of State for Air (1) who is responsible for the aero-dynamic efficiency of aircraft that are constructed for Imperial Airways, Limited;
(2) whether Imperial Airways, Limited, consult the Air Ministry and make use of the experience of the technicians in his Department before placing large orders for a special type of aeroplane or seaplane to be used in operating the Empire air mail service?
Captain BalfourImperial Airways, in common with other purchasers of civil transport aircraft specify the particular aero-dynamic requirements and the constructor in turn is responsible to the purchaser for achieving that efficiency in the aircraft. In such cases the technical advice of my Department is freely available at all times. In recent orders placed directly, or with the aid of my Department, for new civil prototypes which may be used by Imperial Airways or its successor corporation, the aero-dynamic requirements have been approved by my Department after consultation with both operators and constructors.