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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 0926.PDF
AUGUST 15, 1918. AVIATION IN PARLIAMENT. Airship Construction (Skilled Workers). MB. C. DUNCAN in the House of Commons on Aug. 6th asked the Secretaryto the Admiralty if large rigid airships are urgently required for His Majesty's Navy ; if so, if any reason can be given why the firm that has carried out all thepioneer work in rigid airship construction and built the first successful rigid airship should now be in a position necessitating a large reduction in the numberof their skilled workers, whilst other firms who had not the same experience were fully employed ; whether he is aware that resentment is felt by the tradeunionists of this firm who, at considerable sacrifice, have given every possible assistance in teaching the work to female labour, and now find that a largeproportion of girls will shortly be without employment or put on other work where their special training will not be utilised ; and if any reason can be givenfor the stoppage of construction of a new airship building shed for this firm on which a large sum of money has been expended ? Dr. Macnamara: The firm to which I understand my hon. friend to refer is atpresent building a rigid airship, but the constructional shed which they have at the present time, though big enough for the ships they are building, is notsufficiently large for future requirements. Moreover, building sheds alreadyin existence elsewhere are sufficient to meet present requirements. As regardthe third part of the question, there is sufncie it need for labour in thedistrict to keep everyone in full employment. As regards the last part of the question,which refers to another shed altogether,the stoppage of construction referred to was due to the fact that the labour and material which would otherwise have beenabsorbed were needed for other and more important undertakings. RJk.F. Uniform. Col. YATE in the House of Commons on Aug. 7th asked the Under-SecretaryOf State to the Air Ministry whether a lieutenant in the R.A.F. will have to pay at least £16, at ready-money rates, for one cap and one suit of clothing in theproposed new pale-blue uniform ; and whether the introduction of this palp- blue uniform is strongly opposed by all R.A.F. officers in France and else-where on the grounds that it is impossible to wear it at work in the aerodromes or on the machines owing to its getting so easily stained with oil ? Maj. Baird: Controlled prices will, it is anticipated, be fixed almost im-mediately under which the new uniform will be purchaseable at a price which will be less by 75 percent, than the figure quoted by the hon. and gallant member.No foundation is known for the statement in the second part of the question. Air Ministry Official. MR. T. WILSON asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whethera Mr. Haywood is assistant commandant of the Women's R.A.F.; if s:>, is Mr. Haywood of military age ; and whether Mr. Haywood was recently an insuranceclerk at Cardiff and obtained exemption from military service on the ground of his then occupation ? Ma . Baird : Mr. Haywood is an established Civil Servant, who has been tem-porarily lent by his Department to the Air Ministry for urgent administrative work in connection with the Women's R.A.F. He does not hold the position ofassistant commandant. Mr. Haywood is 38 years of age and of Grade t medical category. He received a certificate of indispensability from his own Departmentin September, 1916, and his case, in commonwith that of all civilians of military age in Government Departments, is under review by a Committee of the Ministryof National Service. W.R.A.F. Officers. MR. T. WILSON asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether several of the senior officers of the Women's R.A.F. have resigned since the present commandant, the deputy-commandant, and the assistant-deputy-com- mandants were appointed ; whether he is aware that at present there is a feeling dissatisfaction in the force with the present commandant; and whether, in view of this dissatisfaction, he will institute a full enquiry into the causes ? Maj. Baird : Two senior officers of the Women's R.A.F. have resigned since the appointment of the present commandant. The Air Council have every confidence in this lady's ability and discretion, and they see no need for an enquiry of the nature suggested in the last part of the question. Mr. T. Wilson asked the Under-Secretay of State to the Air Ministry if he will state the previous experience of the present commandant of the Women's R.A.F., and the reasons for her appointment to the position ? Maj. Baird : Miss Douglas Pennant has for more than six years been a member of the National Health Insurance Commission for Wales, and she had previously served as a co-opted member of the London Education Committee. She was appointed to her present position because her experience and qualifications rendered her, in the view 01 the Air Council, the most suitable person available to carry out the duties attaching to it. Norman-Thompson Flight Company. MR. JOYNSON-HICKS asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministywhether he is aware that the Norman-Thompson Flight Co., Ltd., of Bognor, were responsible for the design and construction of the first flying boat of present-day type used for the Navy ; and that a design by this firm was on April 20th, 1918, officially adopted by the Air Ministry as the Government patternof naval instruction machine; whether he is aware that during the war this company have supplied to the Government about 100 flying boats as well as landmachines; that ia 1915 the Admiralty Air Department asked for more pro- duction, which involved the company in making extensions, which were ready inMay, 1916, but that for 13 months alter that the company, owing to the shortage of orders, were only working at one-third of their full output; and that in1917 the Air Board directed a further enlargement of the company's works ; whether the Government provided the money for the new buildings which werespecially designed for the production of flying boats, and are now approaching completion ; whether he is aware that, without a day's warning, on Jan. 28thof this year, all ordersforsuch flying boats were cancelled, except as regards those then in hand ; whether there has been any complaint against tbe work of thiscompany; whether the Secretary of State has received a petition from the workmen employed by the firm in reference to the indecision of the Air Boardregarding future work; and whether he is in a position to make a statement as to the future dealings of the Board with this company ? Mr. Kellaway : I have been asked to reply to this question. I am advisedthat the shortage of orders in and after May, 1916, was due to difficulties experi- enced with the engines for one particular type of machine. In other respects thework completed by the company was satisfactory, but this type being no longer required by the Services the contract was cancelled, subject to the completionof any boats laid down. At present the firm has an order for 30 boats of another type. There has been delay in the placing of further orders owing to the appoint-ment of a receiver for the debenture holders and the uncertain financial position, but in view ot the prospect of satisfactory financial arrangements being madeafurther substantial order Is in pro spect. Air-Raid Warnings. MR. GILBERT on Aug. 8th asked the Home sec etary whether it Is proposed to alter in any way the present system of air-raid warnings in London or if It is proposed to continue during the autumn a nd winter months the present warnings by maroons ; whether he will state what.arrangements have been made for the opening of tube stations and other shelters if raids take place lateor after midnight; and if he will issue posters on all public buildings giving the present warnings and especially advising the public to stay at home ? Sir G. Cave : It is proposed to continue during the autumn and winter monthsthe present system of air-raid warnings in London, which has proved effective. Arrangements have been made under which all the tube stations, with theexception of a few which are unsuitable, will be available as shelter at whatever time a raid may occur, in addition to the great majority of the buildings classedas public shelters. It is not proposed to issue posters warning tbe public to stay at home when warning is given of a raid, as this advice has been frequently given,and is, I believe, now well understood and generally followed. Aircraft Manufacture (Wages). MR. T. WILSON asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has received anyapplications from controlled firms engaged in the manufacture of aircraft to allow them to pay certain of their workpeople an increased wage, such increase to bepaid from the funds of the firm concerned ; if so, whether the request has been refused ; and whether he will state the reason for such refusal ? The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions (Mr. Kellaway):I have not in mind the particular case referred to by my hon. friend. It is not the practice of the Department to sanction proposals for increases in wages toany class of workpeople already in receipt of the recognised standard district rate, unless exceptional circumstances justifying the increase are shown. It isia the interest of all concerned that uniformity in wages should b« maintained so far as possible. _ Cellulose Acetate. MB. WRIGHT by private ntlice) asked the Prime Minister what Department of what Ministry was prior to February, 1917, and has since that date been respon- sible for advising the War Office or the Ministry of Munitions whether proposals for the production of cellulose acetate should be accepted ? Mr. Bonar Law : I only received notice of this question a few minutes before I entered the House. The subject being under enquiry, I think it would be premature and might be misleading to attempt to furnish information as to the respective responsibility of the various sections of the War Office and Ministry of Munitions concerned. , British Cellulose Company (Enquiry). SIR W. BULL (by private notice) asked the Leader of the House if he has been able to meet the demand of the British Cellulose Company for a full enquiry on oath into the charges made in this House and in the Press against that company ? Mr. Bonar Law : I have invited one of His Majesty's judges, who will act as chairman, and two business men whose names will, I am sure, inspire confidence, to enquire into this matter, with the following terms of reference:— " To enquire into and report upon the formation and financial arrangements of the British Cellulose and Chemical Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and associated companies, and upon their relations with Departments of the Government." I have not yet, owing to their absence from town, received the consent of these gentlemen, and I cannot, therefore, give their names, but if possible I shall give them before the House rises to-day. The power to take evidence on oath could not be given except by legislation which, in any case, would have been im- possible before the House rises, and I am confident that the absence of this power will not prevent the fullest enquiry into all the circumstances of the case. Mr. T. M. Healy : Is the right hon. gentleman aware that there is a Bill down on the Order Paper to-day dealing with certain complaiats of inhumanity in Belfast Prison in order that evidence may be taken on oath : why not have one commission to take these enquiries ? Mr. Bonar Law: I do not see how it is possible that the Bill to which my hon. and learned friend refers can be passed. I do not think it is possible. Mr. Healy: Then why not make the reference to Belfast the same as is being done in this case, so that there shall not be a delay of three months ? You are giving to English members in the case of an English scandal an immediate enquiry, and you say that an oath is not necessary. In the case of the Irish scandal you say that it is necessary, and tbe matter will consequently be delayed for three months. Mr. Bonar Law : I believe a question is being addressed on that question to my right hon. friend. R.A.F. Observers. MR. OtTTHWAiTK asked the Under-Secretaiy of State to the Air Ministry whether his"attention has been called to the fact that Sying officer observers, many of whom have been active service in the Infantry as well as having served with fighting squadrons in France and some of whom have commanded companies and have gained honours, are treated, on their return to England to obtain pile t certificates, in the same manner as cadets who have recently been called up, and that at one school of military aeronautics they are fallen-in en Sunc'ey mornings and inspected as private soldiers and are also liable to punishment parades: and whether any steps will be taken to remove this cause of resent- ment ? Col. Gibbs: Courses of instruction for officer observers are administered on the same system as that which prevails for all young Army officers under in- struction, and no reason is seen for its alteration. Jonas, Colver and Company. MR. JOYNSON-HICKS asked the Minister of Munitions (t) whether heU aware that the firm of Jonas, Colver and Co., Ltd., had, prior to the war, one of the best reputations in Sheffield as steelmakers, and during tfce whole oi 1915 and the early part of 1916 were practically the sole suppliers of aeroplane cranks ar.d crank steel for air engines, but that their reputation for good steel change d, and that owing to the bad steel supplied by this company tbe principal machining firm in Sheffield was occupied on machining 80 per cent, of defective stuff to the prejudice of the ensine programme of the Air Board ; whether any compensa- tion in respect of bad steel paid to machining firms came out of public funds ; whether an analysis showed that much of the steel was such that it never could have meet the tests required; whether he is aware that in the middle of 1917 the chief steelmaker to Jonas and Colver left and that Mr. Robert Jonas is now In charge of the steelmaking plant; and whether the Air Board has recently installed a Government steel specialist at tbe works, and what experience of steelmaking has this expert; and (2) why, in spite of the repeated output of defective steel by Messrs. Jonas and Colver, they still have the largest allocaticn for the production of high-grade steel of any firm in Sheffield; and whether he will cause a full, independent enquiry to be made into the transactions oi this firm since the war began ? ' Mr. Kellaway: I am informed that the firm mentioned had, previous to the war, one of the best reputations as steel makers in Sheffield, and that so far as the Ministry of Munitions is concerned, the reputation of the firm as steel pic- ducers has not changed. It is Incorrect to state that the firm was practically the only producers of aeroplane cranks and aeroplane crank steel in 1915 and the early part of 1916. Owing to the stringency of the specifications and the greater stresses which have to be endured by this particular steel, all firms engaged in its manufacture have encountered considerable difficulties ll.ee difficulties have now been overcome. The quality of Messrs. Jonas and Colvet's.
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