§ Sir F. SYKESasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what orders have been placed during the years 1923 and 1924, respectively, for experimental aeroplanes, seaplanes and engines included 2285W under the term civil type in Appendix 2 of the Air Estimates of the current year?
§ Mr. LEACHDuring the year 1923 one contract was placed for a purely civil type of aircraft amounting to £12,400. In addition, contracts amounting to a considerable sum were placed for new types of experimental aircraft embracing points of special interest to both civil and service aviation. The winner of the Aerial Derby was purchased at a cost of £3,000. One contract for a civil type of aircraft has been placed to date during the year 1924 amounting to £9,800. Contracts are, however, about to be placed for five civil machines of two new types which will involve some £40,000. Again, money is being spent on experimental types of interest from the point of view of both civil and service aviation, and, in particular, I may mention a contract of £26,000 for three special machines for experiments connected with control at low speeds which have been ordered at the request of the Aeronautical Research Committee. It will be appreciated that during both years money was spent on the completion of contracts placed in earlier years. It2286W is not possible to separate engines as between civil and service types, and I regret, therefore, that I am not in a position to give figures for civil engines.