Captain Balfourasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will give the total number of Royal Air Force personnel killed and injured during practice for or on Empire air-day displays; and the number of aircraft lost or damaged and the approximate cost of this equipment?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadPractice flying for Empire Air Day displays cannot be segregated from flying training of which it forms a normal and integral part. The only figures, therefore, which can be given relate to accidents occurring on the actual days of the displays. Six deaths are recorded as having taken place during the four years since Empire Air Day was1024W initiated. The original purchase value of eight aircraft and their equipment which were lost or damaged was approximately £31,000, but this figure does not of course represent the actual financial loss incurred.