§ Mr. PERKINSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1) whether he is aware that none of the machines owned by Imperial Airways, Limited, are fitted with devices for the prevention of ice formation on the wings; and whether, in view of the fact that this company receives a large Government subsidy and in view of the recent accident to a Belgian air liner, probably due to ice, he will insist that all new machines bought by this concern for use in Europe should be fitted with some safety device;
(2) whether he is aware that German, French, and American air liners are, in many cases, fitted with a device to prevent ice forming on the wings; and whether he will endeavour to secure, in the best interest of British aviation, that all British concerns receiving subsidies and operating in Europe should be equipped with these safety devices?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI am aware that some foreign air liners are equipped with devices for preventing ice formation, and, as already stated, Imperial Airways are about to fit such a device to one or two aircraft. The use of the device is, however, at present experimental, and it would be premature to consider making it obligatory, which has not, so far as I am aware, been done to date in any other country.
§ Mr. PERKINSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the total number of services run by 1995W Imperial Airways, Limited, that have been cancelled since 1st January, 1932, on account of ice-forming conditions?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI am informed that no flights have been cancelled by Imperial Airways solely on account of ice-forming conditions.