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Aviation History
1916
1916 - 0403.PDF
MAY II, i9i°- QUESTIONS IN Lord Curzon's Report. ON May 2nd Mr. E. Cecil asked whether any action had yet been taken on Lord Curzon's report to the Cabinet on the organi- sation of the Aviation Department, and whether the Prime Minister J»d any statement to make. In reply Mr. Asquith said it was impossible to give a day for ths promised debate during that week. Mr. Hogge on Monday asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he would say what were Lord Curzon's recommenduions for the air set vice. Mr. Tennant replied that the matter was under the consideration of the Government. It would be premature to make a statement. Asked by Sir F. Canley on Tuesday if he could fix an early day for the discussion of the report, Mr. Asquith replied in the negative, expl?ining that he was dependent on the progress of the new Mili tary Service Bill. Anti-Aircraft Corps. SIR CHARLES HENRY, on May 3rd, asked if any steps were bsing taken to release members of the Anti-Aircraft Corps who would be eligible for military service, and to replace them by men who are over military age ? Mr. Tennant stated that the reply was in the affirmative. The New Headquarters oE the War Office Aeronautical Department. REPLYING to Mr. Ashley, on May 4th, Mr. Harcourt, the First Commissioner of Works, said that De Keyser's Royal Hotel, Victoria Embankment, had been taken over for occupation by the Aeronautical Department of the War Office. No estimate of cost of adaptation had yet been framed. The premises had been requisitioned under the Defence of the Realm Act, and the question of compensation would therefore be settled by the Commission especially appointed to deal with such cases. In reply to a farther question, he stated that no accommodation of a less expensive kind was to be obtained near the War Office. Aircraft Raid Insurance. MR. TICKLER asktd the President of the Board of Trade if claims arising out of bombardment by tnemy aircraft were being declined on the ground that the insured had also signed the coupon of a weekly paper, which paper refused to accept liability on account of the claim not being made against it in the prescribed time ; and, seeing that the Government refused to pay the damage insured for until the insured had exhausted the funds of the weekly paper, what action he now proposed to take. Mr. Pretyman, who replied, said: It is a special condition of the Government policy that the insured must exhaust his rights against any other subsisting insurance before claiming under the Govern ment policy. A newspaper insurance coupon is a subsisting in surance, and I see no reason why the Government should relieve a newspaper of any liabilities which it may have legally incurred for its own purposes. The question of exhausting the funds of the newspaper does not, of course, arise. THE R-F.C. REPLYING to Mr. Hogge in the House of Commons on Mon day, Mr. Tennant said the following were the names of the Com mittee to inquire into the administration and command of the Royal Flying Corps -.— Mr. Justice Bailhache (chairman), Mr. T. G. Butcher, M.P., Mr. E. Shorn, M.P., Mr. J. H. Balfour-Browne, K.C., Hon. Sir C. Parsons, K.C.B., Mr. Ctiarles Bright. The secretary was Mr. D. Cotes Preedy, 2, Elm Court Temple. It was also proposed to invite a military adviser of high rank to join the Committee. On Tuesday Sir A. Markham asked why the Committee ap pointed to inquire into the administration of the Royal Flying Corps contained four lawyers among six members. rMr. Asquith replied that he understood it was desirable that lawyers should be nominated. - Mr. billing asked whether it was not desirable to appoint some aeronautical experts on the Committee ? 1 Mr. Asquith replied that two meml>ers of the Committee are civil engineers of great eminence, and I understand that one of them, Sir Charles Parsons, is unsurpassed by any engineer in his know ledge of these matters. With regard to the members of this Committee, the following are a few brief particulars of their past work :— Mr. Justice Bailhache (chairman) (Sir Clement Meacher Bailhache) bas been a judge of the High Court since 1912. He is a Yorkshire- «wn, and was educated at the City of London School and London University. Called to the Bar in 1889, he speedily acquired a reputation as a sound and careful advocate. His appointment to (/ycHT) PARLIAMENT. Mr. Wing asked for an assurance that the Department will take some steps to bring those newspapers to book that make promises and don't perform them ? Mr. Pretyman : We have considered this matter carefully. The situation is a very difficult one. If my right hon. friend will kindly send us particulars of any actual cases that have occurred, we will look into them and see what can be done. It is very important to the insurers that where the newspapers are liable they should iulfil their liabilities ; otherwise the insurer is left stranded l*-tween the two parties. The War Office and Private Aircraft Factories. MR. LYNCH asked whether, in view of the advisability <>f developing to the fullest extent the air-power of the nation, the War Office would lake advantage of the services that various private aircraft factories, as, for instance, the Whitehead Aircraft Factory, are in a position to render and stimulate their efforts by suitable orders ? Mr. Tennant replied : Yes, sir. British Zeppelins. MR. HOGGE asked the Under-Secre ban 11 War how many Zeppelins we possess. Dr. Macnamara, Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, who replied, said it was not considered in the public interest to give the information desired. Bright Lights in West London. SIR C. KINLOCH-COOKE wished to know whether the Horn* Secretary would give to the police instructions which would ensure the darkening of windows in hotels and private houses in West London at night. Mr. H. Samuel replied that careful aitention was given to the matter in all parts of London. In no fewer than 2,300 cases pro ceedings were taken in the metropolis last month. Sir C. Kinloch Cooke said many upper windows in West London were without blinds or, at any rate, darkened blinds. If the right hon. gentleman would let him, be would introduce bim to several such windows. Mr. Samuel suggested that the hon. member should give his information to the police. Sir C. Kinloch Cooke s*id he had already done so. The B.E. 2c. Machine- MR. HILLING on May 2nd asked whether as a result of recent criticism in the House on the inefficiency of the Royal Aircraft Factory aeroplane B. E. 2c. when opposed »o enemy aircraft, orders had been given that no more of this type of machine were to 1* sent to France. Mr. Tennant replied that the answer was in the negative. Esseo. MR. BALFOUR, replying to Mr. Glnnell, who asked if he would explain why Essen had been immune from attack by British aircraft, said : I do not think it would be desirable to discuss military operations—actual or possible—by question and answer. INQUIRY. the Bench was hailed with great satisfaction by the legal profession and by business men. "Mr. John G. Butcher, K.C., Unionist M.P. for York. An Irishman and son of the late Bishop of Meath. Educated at Marl borough and Cambridge, he is a Fellow of his College, Trinity, and has a reputation as a scientist, apart from his high standing at the Bar. Mr. E. A. Shortt, K.C., Liljeral M.P. for Newcastle, is a native of Newcastle, and was educated there and at Durham University. He i< Recorder ot Sunderland, and one of the most popular barristers on the North-Eastern Circuit. Mr. J. H. Balfour-Browne, K.C., is a Scotsman, who, until the beginning of this year, when he retired, was leader of the Parlia mentary Bar. Educated first at Dumfries Academy, and later at Edinburgh University, where he had a distinguished career, he attained the highest position at the Parliamentary Bar, and was re cognised as one of the acutest intellects in the profession. Sir Charles A. Parsons, K.C.B., is the head ot the famous electrical and engineering works bearing his name at Newcattle. At an early age he had a practical training as an engineer, and, proceeding to Cambridge, graduated in 1876 as Eleventh Wrangler, riis name is indissolubly connected with the turbine, which he developed and adapted both to the generation of electrical energy and the propulsion of steamships. Mr. Charles Bright, F.R.S.E., M.Intt.CE,, M.I.E.E., is a distinguished engineer and expert on telegraph cables, consulting engineer to the Commonwealth of Australia, &c, and has been professionally engaged on a number of cable-laying expeditions in various parts of the world. 403
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