§ 55. Mr. Beswickasked the Secretary of State for War when the contract to Skyways, Limited, to transport troops from the United Kingdom to the West Indies was first allocated; when trooping started; and what is the present frequency of service.
§ Mr. J. R. H. HutchisonThe contract was placed on 3rd June last year and the first flight left this country on 2nd July. Depending on the numbers to be moved there are one to three flights a month on this service.
§ 80. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Civil Aviation by what means oxygen is 19W given to the wives and children of troops in the York aircraft used on the West Indies troop contract: and what de-icing system has been fitted to these machines since they were purchased by the contracting company.
§ Mr. ProfumoI understand that trooping flights to the West Indies are planned at lower altitudes than those for which the Air Navigation Regulations require oxygen to be carried, but that a small number of oxygen bottles and masks are carried for emergency use. The York aircraft used were already equipped with fluid de-icing systems on the wing and tail surfaces when acquired by the contracting company.
I am informed that the company has incorporated liquid and electrical heating de-icing systems for the pilot's windscreen.
§ 81. Mr. Beswickasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what financial arrangements were made by his Department to enable Skyways, Limited, to purchase five York aircraft from Eagle Aviation, Limited, for air trooping contracts over the North Atlantic.