§ LIEUT.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry how many large rigid airships are now in commission; how many large rigid airships are under construction: how many large airship sheds are in use; and how many have full staffs and crews in attendance for handling airships; and what is the estimated total cost next year of the Airship Service, rigid and non-rigid, for the Royal Navy?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe, reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman's first question is that there is one large rigid airship (R 34) in commission for the Navy, and that two (R 32 and R. 33) are being maintained temporarily, pending a decision as to the most advantageous method, of disposing of them.
1819WThe reply to the second question is that the construction of R 38 is proceeding under an arrangement for her sale, when completed, to the Government of the United States of America. A certain amount of work is being done on three other ships, pending the issue of negotiations for their use for commercial purposes.
The reply to the third question is that the large airship sheds in use are five in number, at Pulham, East Fortune and Howden. It is intended to retain permanently for service purposes the airship station at Howden with two large sheds. The reply to the fourth question is that none of the airship stations have full staffs and crews.
The reply to the fifth question is that the Estimates for the Airship Service are included in the general Estimates for the Royal Air Force, and that these latter being still under consideration no figure can be given. Even when the Royal Air Force Estimates are passed, it is not intended to show separate estimates for the airship side of the Air Force, because the personnel of the different branches will, to some extent, be interchangeable within the Service.