§ Major GLYNasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many officers and other ranks of the Royal Air Force have been killed and injured, respectively, 1988W since 1st January, and in the same period how many persons using civil aviation companies' machines have been killed and injured; and how do these figures compare with the same period in 1929, 1927 and 1925?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe following table gives the information required:
Aircraft Accidents during periods 1st January to 19th May. — 1925. 1927. 1929. 1931. Royal Air Force personnel. Killed 16 24 16 45 Injured 47 39 31 39 Persons using commercial aircraft. Killed 1 — 2 1 Injured — — — 2 I should add that in 1931 there has been a very large increase in the amount of flying carried out both by Royal Air Force and civil aircraft as compared with the earlier years specified in the question. No persons were killed or injured while using machines of British companies operating regular or taxi air transport services in or originating from this country during any of the above periods. The figures exclude accidents to club or privately-owned aircraft.
§ Major GLYNasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the value of the Royal Air Force machines that have been lost this year as a result of accidents both at home and overseas?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe original cost of the machines referred to by the hon. and gallant Member was roughly £220,000, but the actual value at the date of loss was, of course, very much less: the value of the parts salved cannot be estimated without undue labour.
§ Major GLYNasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many machines have been destroyed belonging to the Royal Air Force at home and on foreign stations, respectively; how many were new machines under test; how many were machines of a type over three years old; and how many were wrecked by failure of engine or other material and how many on account of collision?
1989W
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe following is the answer:
Royal Air Force flying accidents during period 1st January to 19th May, 1931. — Home. Abroad. Aeroplanes crashed and written off charge. 56 17 These figures include: New aeroplanes under test Nil Nil Aeroplanes of a type over three years old. 47 12 Aeroplanes crashed as the result of failure of engine or other material. 6 2 Aeroplanes crashed as the result of collision. 8 Nil Full information as to the causes of many of the accidents which resulted in aircraft being written off charge is not at present available, and it is possible that the figures relating to engine and other failure may have to be revised.
§ Major GLYNasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he has any information regarding the fatal accidents to the service machines of France, Italy, Germany, and the United States of America this year; and what proportion of their machines were over three years old?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI regret that the countries concerned do not publish data which would enable me to answer the hon. and gallant Member's question. Incidentally, I may point out that under the Treaty of Versailles the armed forces of Germany must not include any naval or military air forces.