Lieutenant-Colonel MALONEasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether a Service aircraft, believed to be a Nieuport Nighthawk, flew from London to Bournemouth on the 14th March with newspapers; whether this is in accordance with the Regulations; and by whose authority this flight was carried out?
§ Major-General SEELYThe machine in question was being constructed for the Royal Air Force by a firm of contractors, and was undergoing the customary "Maker's Test," consisting of a four-hours' flight carried out by the firm's pilot. No particular route was specified. The Regulations at present in force prohibit civil aviation, except when carried out under Naval or Military Instructions. In the present case instructions for the flight were issued by the Air Ministry authorities, but no permission to carry newspapers was either asked or granted, and the firm in question have been informed that the Air Ministry cannot permit such action pending the re-opening of civil aviation.