§ Mr. Montagueasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will state upon what date the prototypes of the Spitfire, Blenheim, and Battle aeroplanes were originally prepared; and when the desired deliveries will be made of the finished classes of machine?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe Spitfire and Battle prototypes were first flown in March, 1936, but it will be appreciated that, as a result of trials of the prototype aircraft, various changes of design are usually necessary to secure that production aircraft will meet Service requirements. The Blenheim was re-designed as a military aircraft from a civil aeroplane which was first flown by the Royal Air Force in July, 1935. I cannot undertake to forecast when delivery of the full number of aircraft now on order will be completed.