§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that French aeroplane manufacturers are already so fully supplied with orders from their own and other Continental Governments that they cannot supply machines to the British Army in quantities within a reasonable time, he will take immediate steps to purchase machines from such British manufacturers as may prove their ability to turn out satisfactory aeroplanes?
§ Colonel SEELYWill the hon. Member kindly refer to the question put on this subject by the hon. Member for Taunton on the 28th ultimo, to which there is nothing at present to add.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked whether the French Army regulations provide that officers engaged in the aviation department are to be treated as on full war footing with, in the case of accident, similar allowances and pensions to themselves or their widows as they would receive if wounded or killed on active service; and 1179W whether such conditions also apply to the English aviation officers?
§ Colonel SEELYThe suggestion contained in the question that French officers engaged in the aeronautical service are placed on a war footing, and that in case of injuries they or their wives receive pensions or allowances as if the injury had been incurred on active service is inaccurate. Their service is only regarded as active service for purposes of promotion. The conditions for our own aviation officers are not yet settled.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked how many effective aeroplanes are now owned by the War Department; how many of them are of English and French manufacture; and how many of each sort have been purchased since the 1st January, 1911?
§ Colonel SEELYThere are twelve aeroplanes at present owned by the War Department and three more are under reconstruction in the factory. Of these nine are of English and six are of French manufacture. Seven aeroplanes of English and four of French manufacture have been purchased since 1st January, 1911.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked whether it is the intention of the War Office to make the grant of £75 to every officer who obtains his aviator's certificate, or whether this grant will only be given to those officers subsequently selected for aviation service; and whether it is his intention to attach every officer obtaining such certificate to the Air Battalion or only selected officers; and, if so, upon what basis in either case does he propose to make the selections?
§ Colonel SEELYThe grant of £75 will be made only to those officers who are selected for aviation work and have a pilot's certificate or on their obtaining a pilot's certificate. Every officer who has been so selected and has obtained a pilot's certificate will be attached to the Air Battalion for a further course before appointment as Army aviator. The original selection will be made on the recommendations of commanding and medical officers as to the suitability of the officers for aviation work.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in spite of the fact that the recent French military aviation trials have 1180W been for machines carrying three persons, the French Government have nevertheless since the trials placed large orders for high-speed single-seated machines; and whether he will, in preparing his test regulations, provide for trials for single-seated and two-seated machines as well as for those of larger and heavier type?
§ Colonel SEELYIt is considered desirable to confine the competition tests to machines capable of carrying two persons. Single-seated machines will be dealt with later.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, when he has ascertained the best type of machine by means of his cash prizes, he proposes to have it copied at the Army aircraft factory; and, if so, if he would state what is the size, number of men employed, and qualifications of such factory to turn out, say, 100 aeroplanes within the next six months?
§ Colonel SEELYThe aircraft factory is not at present organised for doing more than experimental work and repairs to aeroplanes besides other aircraft work. The question as to how far, if at all, the factory should be used for construction of aeroplanes on the lines suggested is under consideration.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the latest production of the aircraft factory, namely, the balloon known as "The Delta," has burst every time it has been inflated before reaching a pressure which is regarded as giving a sufficient factor of safety for practical use; whether on the last voyage of the airship "Gamma" to Salisbury Plain, the frame containing the crew and engine buckled in the course of the voyage; and, if so, whether he will lay before Parliament a full report on the working of such factory?
§ Colonel SEELY"The Delta" is not yet completed and has not yet been inflated with gas. As is usual during manufacture portions of the dirigible have been tested in various ways and when completed all portions will have a proper margin of safety. During the voyage of "The Gamma" on 22nd September the pitching of the vessel broke a stay wire in the fore end of the frame and the two fore bays of the frame buckled, but no further damage resulted, although the continued pitching was severe. There is nothing in these cases to require any further report.
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§ Mr. SANDYSasked what previous experience of aviation and of aeroplane construction any of the officers of the Army aircraft factory have had prior to their appointment; and whether such factory has ever turned out an aeroplane equal in effectiveness to those turned out by private constructors in this country?
§ Colonel SEELYThe staff of the factory have been selected on account of their training in the branches which they have to supervise. The factory is at present only making an aeroplane for experimental purposes in connection with the Advisory Committee on Aeronautics. It has repaired and reconstructed damaged aeroplanes.
§ Sir HILDRED CARLILEasked what use, in view of the adoption of aeroplanes by the War Office, is being made now, and is likely to be made in future, of the new dirigible balloons owned by the Government?
§ Colonel SEELYThe adoption of aeroplanes does not involve the abandonment of dirigible balloons, which will be used for the purposes for which they were originally intended and constructed.