§ Mr. DAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the cost to date of building and maintenance of the super-marine S 6 and the Gloster-Napier seaplanes, which were built for the purpose of taking part in the Schneider Trophy Race; whether these seaplanes are at present making any experimental flights; and the names of the pilots engaged in such flights?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe cost of designing, building and maintaining these seaplanes, with their engines, has been approximately £230,000 to date. I should point out that they were built not only for the Schneider Trophy Race but also as part of the equipment of the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, which is carrying out a programme of research which includes experimental high-speed flying. No such flying has been done recently with these aircraft because they have been undergoing reconditioning since the race, but it will now begin as soon as weather conditions permit. The names of the pilots of the establishment appear in the Air Force List.
§ Mr. DAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any decision has been arrived at as to the future use of the super-marine S 6 and Gloster-Napier seaplanes which were built for the purpose of taking part in the Schneider Trophy Race?
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§ Mr. MONTAGUEI would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Chelsea (Sir S. Hoare) and the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 2nd April and to the hon. Member for Dorset, East (Mr. Glassey) on 14th April.