§ Captain BRASSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any entries have been made for the helicopter competition announced in 1923; and, in 1622W the event of no entries having been yet made, whether he intends to proceed with the competition?
§ Mr. LEACHOne entry has been received for the competition referred to, but it is possible that more will be received by the 30th April, 1924, the date of closure of entries. It will be seen that the contingency referred to in the latter part of the question has not arisen.
§ Captain BRASSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement as to the progress made with the helicopter at Farnborough; how long the experiments have lasted; what is their cost; and whether he is satisfied that further expenditure in this direction is profitable?
§ Mr. LEACHIn answer to the first part of the question, only indoor tests have been carried out with the helicopter up to the present, but the results which have been obtained indicate that the design is of distinct promise. Certain features of the machine are now in process of modification and until this work has been completed outdoor tests cannot be undertaken. In answer to the second part, the work has been in progress at Farnborough since June, 1919. In answer to the third part, the cost of the work, including expenditure upon salaries, wages, and materials, is approximately £45,500 up to the end of February, 1924. As regards the last part, the question of further expenditure will be considered when outdoor trials have been held.