§ Mr. AMERYasked the Secretary of State for War what accommodation is being provided in Ireland for the housing of Government aeroplanes?
§ Mr. H. BAKERNo permanent accommodation has yet been provided in Ireland. Temporary accommodation is arranged as required.
§ Mr. AMERYasked the Secretary of State for War how many aeroplane repair vans are in possession of the War Office, and where are they stationed?
§ Mr. H. BAKERThere are twenty-two repair vehicles, which are distributed between Upavon, Netheravon, South Farnborough, and Montrose.
§ Mr. AMERYasked the Secretary of State for War how many aeroplanes are available for the use of the Royal Flying Corps at South Farnborough, Salisbury Plain, and Montrose, respectively?
§ Mr. H. BAKERAt the present moment the numbers are:—
South Farnborough (excluding those at the factory and those under inspection) 42 Salisbury Plain (including the school) 71 Montrose (including ten now on their way to Salisbury Plain) 17
§ Mr. AMERYasked the Secretary of State for War how many aeroplanes in the possession of the Imperial military authorities there are at present in India, South Africa, East Africa, West Africa, 1122W Egypt, the Soudan, Gibraltar, Malta, Cyprus, Aden, and the West Indies, respectively; how many garages; and what staff for construction or repairs?
§ Mr. H. BAKERIn regard to India, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Andover Division on Monday last. There-are no aeroplanes in the possession of the Imperial military authorities at the other stations mentioned.
§ Mr. AMERYasked the Secretary of State for War how many aeroplanes are at present in the possession of the War Department; how many are under repair: and how many are of British manufacture?
§ Mr. H. BAKER
In possession of the War Department 176 Under repair 70 Of British manufacture 136
§ Mr. AMERYasked the Secretary of State for War how many of the aeroplanes owned by the War Office are of variable speed; how many are two or three-seaters, with arrangements for dual control; and how many are fitted with automatic telephoto apparatus, and how many with wireless telegraph apparatus, respectively?
§ Mr. H. BAKERAll aeroplanes have some variation of speed. Thirty-one, according to the latest information, are fitted with dual control. There are 164 two-seaters and no three-seaters. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the information asked for in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. AMERYasked the Secretary of State for War what provision is being made for the training in airmanship of His Majesty's forces in India and South Africa, in view of the exceptional opportunities for flying afforded by those countries?
§ Mr. H. BAKERAs regards India I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for the East Notts Division by the Under-Secretary of State for India on the 7th ultimo. Six officers of the South African Defence Force are at present being trained at the Central Flying School.
§ Mr. AMERYasked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the importance of securing rapid transmission of information to Government headquarters in case of Native risings, he will state what 1123W provision is being made for the supply of aeroplanes and for securing facilities for training in airmanship for His Majesty's forces stationed in British East Africa, Somaliland, Nigeria, and other Crown Colonies?
§ Mr. H. BAKEROfficers of the Colonies mentioned can be trained at the Central Flying School, provided that their applications are approved. The supply of aeroplanes in the circumstances mentioned is primarily a matter for the Colonial Office, but the resources of the War Department are at its disposal.