§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry how many aeroplanes are now in stock waiting for engines; and when there is any hope of engines being provided in a sufficient quantity to utilise these machines?
§ Major BAIRDA considerable quantity of aeroplanes are at present in store, but it is not in the public interest to state the actual number. It is anticipated that all machines at present surplus to requirements will be fitted with engines before long.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Tender-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry what percentage of the output of British engines promised to the House of Commons by the Prime Minister in the Secret Session of July, 1917, on the authority of Sir William Weir has been fulfilled?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI have been asked to reply to this question. No record is available of statements made at the Secret Session, but all estimates made by the Aircraft Production Department of the Ministry have been substantially justified by the results. The deliveries of aeroplanes for the three months, of March, April and May, 1918, were 116 per cent. in excess of the deliveries during June, July and August, 1917, whilst the excess in the deliveries of engines was 105 per cent. The increase in the fighting value of the aeroplanes is very much higher than these figures would indicate, as the engines delivered during the three months just completed are of a much higher and more powerful type than those delivered during the three months of last year.