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Aviation History
1922
1922 - 0376.PDF
IN PARLIAMENT British Air Power •• MAJOR-GENERAL SEELY on June 20 asked the Prime Minister whether his^attention has been called to the fact that the reserve for the Royal Air Force to be provided by civil aviation has almost entirely disappeared, and that as a consequence our defensive power in the air has fallen to a dangerously low level in comparison with other countries and in relation to the other arms of our own service ; and what action he proposes to take in the matter ? Mr. Chamberlain : My right hon. and gallant friend may be assured that His Majesty's Government are alive to the bearing upon national security of the developments of aviation in all their various aspects, and are giving the present position their very careful consideration. It must not, however, be taken to indicate that our defensive power is necessarily dependent to more than a limited degree upon the condition of civil aviation. Major-General Seely: What action is the Government really taking now, apart from consideration, in view of the deplorable situation in which we stand in the air relatively to other Powers ? Mr. Chamberlain : It is generally held, I think, that consideration should precede action. Major-General Seely : But consideration has proceeded for two years, and this is the result: I ask what action is now being taken after two years' consideration ? Mr. Chamberlain : I can give no further answer. I do not profess to be conversant with the details, but what I do know is that the position as a whole, and the serious questions involved, are under consideration at this time. Beyond that I cannot go. If my right hon. and gallant friend desires further information, apart from broad policy, I shall be obliged if he will put a question down. Major-Geheral Seely : I will do so for Thursday to the Prime Minister. Foreign Aircraft MAJOR-GENERAL SEELY asked the Secretary of State for Air if he can state the approximate number of civil aircraft of value for war purposes now available in the principal European countries and in the United States of America ? Captain Guest: The numbers of civil aircraft borne on the French, Belgian and Dutch registers on May 1 were 598, 39, and 15 respectively. In the absence of any authoritative statement by the Governments concerned, it is impossible to say what proportion of these aeroplanes would be of value for fighting or war-training purposes, but it is probable that the number fit for modern warfare would be small. As regards Germany, 225 aeroplanes were, on May T, available for air traffic, but none of these would be of value for war purposes. As regards America, the estimated number of civil aircraft in operation in 1921 was 1,200. Of these, approximately 600 were employed by civil air transport companies. Aeroplanes, Pilots and Wireless SIR HARRY BRITTAIN, on June 22, asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of foreign-owned passenger-carrying aeroplanes trading between their own country and England which carry only a single pilot ; what number are not yet fitted with wireless ; and whether he can give approximate dates on which these essential improvements are to be remedied ? Captain Guest: The answer to the first question is 71 aeroplanes, of which 10 will eventually be replaced by aeroplanes fitted with dual control capable of carrying two pilots ; to the second, 65 ; to the third, that it is expected that all these aeroplanes will befitted with wireless apparatus within the next three months. Trans-European Air Routes ME. L'ESTRANGE MALONE asked whether any steps are being taken to establish British air routes on any European routes other than the little cross- Channel routes London-Paris, London-Brussels, etc.; whether definite steps are being taken to establish British air routes on the important trans-European routes where French, German and Italian aircraft are already operating; and, if not, why not ? Captain Guest: The answer to the first question is that it is proposed to establish a new subsidised air route with flying boats from Southampton to Cherbourg and probably later to the Channel Islands; to the second that, except as stated above, no additions to the existing subsidised aeroplane ser vices are at present contemplated, though these routes may be extended under the present subsidy scheme within the limits of the money available ; to the last, that the Ministry has up to the present received no applications from any British firm to establish a British air line on the trans-European routes. Mr. Malone : Is the right hon. and gallant gentleman aware, now that Germany is allowed to build aircraft, that German aircraft will be ahead of the English ? Captain Guest: I think it must be apparent to my hon. friend that European countries have a considerable advantage over us in this connection. London-Paris Route Equipment MR. L, MALONE asked whether any complaints have been made to the effect that the facilities as regards terminal aerodromes, landing grounds en route, wireless communication, fog reporting, etc., on the London-Paris route are inadequate ; whether any representations have been made to the French Government to improve the wireless facilities on the French side of the London-Paris route, or what is the delay in establishing efficient communica tion ; and whether the Air Ministry will consider setting up stations for reporting the width and altitude of fog banks on the route and otherwise dealing with the complaints made against this route ? Captain Guest: The answer to the first question is that some vague com plaints, especially in regard to the French portion of the route, have been received, but, with two exceptions, none of them has been sufficiently concrete or definite to enable action to be taken on them. The two exceptions related to the defective condition of the surface of Croydon aerodrome (which steps have been taken to remedy), and to delays in wireless communication between Croydon and Paris, mainly traceable to atmospheric disturbances and in a less degree to mistakes by personnel. As regards wireless communication on this route generally, I would refer my hon. friend to my reply to him of May 4 last. That reply is also pertinent to the second question, the answer to which is in the affirmative. The delays in establishing efficient wireless communication on the French side of the Channel are due to the time neces sary to reconstruct their W/T stations, but we are informed that this work is being pressed forward. As regards the last partiof the question, experi ments are in hand for finding a practical method of determining the vertical extent of fog, and the suggested establishment of new stations for this purpose additional to the existing five—namely, three on the 58-mile route from Croydon to the coast, reporting weather conditions every hour during daylight, and two reporting the conditions over the Channel—is not considered necessary. Mr. Malone : Has the right hon. and gallant gentleman actually inter viewed some of the pilots about these complaints in the first part of the question : and if not, will he do so ? Captln Guest : I will certainly put myself in touch with the companies, ans ask them to inform me of what are the view of their pilots. Thames Air Station MR. GILBERT asked whether any further progress has been made as to providing an air station on the Thames in the vicinity of Westminster and Vauxhall bridges j whether it has been definitely decided to establish such a station ; when it is proposed to use it for a Continental air service.; and can he make any general statement on the subject ? Captain Guest: Negotiations have been steadily pursued with a view to carrying out the series of experimental flights to and from the Thames at Westminster referred to in the reply I gave my hon. friend on February 22 last. These have, however, not borne fruit, and I regret, therefore, that I have nothing to add to my previous statements. Air Service to India and Australia COMMANDER BELLAIRS asked the Prime Minister, in view of the importance of the proposed airship service to India and Australia, whether he can hasten the consideration and decision of the Imperial Defence Committee ? Mr. Lloyd George : The question 'of the proposed airship service to India and Australia will be considered at an early meeting of the Committee of Imperial Defence. R.A.F. Pilots and Skilled Workmen SIR H. BRITTAIN asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statements as to what is being done by his Department to retain a sufficiency of skilled pilots ; and whether he is also giving attention to the necessity of having available an adequate number of trained engineers and skilled workmen to deal with the manufacture and upkeep of aeroplanes, bearing in mind the needs of the future ? Captain Guest : The Short Service Commission scheme which was insti tuted in 1919 will provide a regular flow of qualified pilots into the Reserve. Under this scheme commissions are granted for four years' service in the flying branch of the Regular Air Force, followed by four years in the Air Reserve. A number of these short service officers will pass to the Reserve in a few months time. Skilled men who have served in the ranks as fitters, riggers, etc., are also passing into the Reserve, and will be available for service in connection with the upkeep of aircraft in a national emergency. As regards manufacture, it is the policy of the Air Ministry to support aircraft constructors to the utmost extent compatible with the needs of national economy. Sir H. Brittain : Realising that the right hon. gentleman appreciates as much as anybody else the urgency of this question, and the impossibility of improvisation, can he say what the Ministry is prepared to do in the case of British plants having to close down while this lengthy consideration is going on ? Captain Guest: That is too important a question to answer by way of reply to the supplementary question. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks : In regard to the personnel, is the right hon. and gallant gentleman satisfied that the flow of pilots and mechanics is sufficient in view of unforeseen contingencies ? Captain Guest : I think the annual flow of pilots will rise to about 500, and of mechanics probably to 2,000. Naval Wing of R.A.F. CAPTAIN VISCOUNT CURZON asked the Prime Minister whether the Com mittee appointed to enquire into the position and work of the Naval Wing of the Royal Air Force has held any meetings as yet; when it is likely to con clude its labours ; whether any Report will be issued ; and whether the serious lack of machines and pilots for work in conjunction with the fleet has received the consideration of the Government ? Mr. Lloyd George : The reply to the first part of the question is that no Committee was appointed to consider the position and work of the Naval Wing of the Royal Air Force. A Committee was promised by the Leader of the House to examine into the system of naval and air co-operation. No formal meeting of the Committee has yet been held, but some progress has been made by preliminary exchange of views. The reply to the second part of the question is that I am unable to say when the Committee is likely to conclude its labours, and to the third.part that a report will be rendered to the Committee of Imperial Defence of which this is a Sub-Committee. With regard to the fourth part of the question, I am not aware of any serious lack of machines or pilots for work in conjunction with the Fleet, and air training in co-operation with the Navy is being actively and efficiently carried on with the limited forces at our disposal. Status of Secretary of State for Air MR. L. MALONE asked the Prime Miu ster whether, in view of the present and increasing importance of the Air Force, His Majesty's Government will consider raising the status of the Secretary of State for Air to the same as that held by the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State" for War? Mr. Lloyd George : I am not prepared to propose an increase in the salary attached to any post in the Government at the present time, nor do I think it expedient to add to the numbers of the Cabinet. Mr. Hogge : This does not necessarily depend upon the amount paid to the Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware that the Secretary for Scotland does more work than any other Minister in the Cabinet ? Mr. Lloyd George : That is the only difierence of which I know. Captain Wedgwood Benn: In view of the importance of the Air Service, should it not receive equal recognition in this respectiwith the other two arms of the Service ? Commander Bellairs : If you take the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State for War out of the Cabinet that would put them all upon an equal basis. Air Power SIR W. JOYNSON-HICKS asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a letter, dated June 2, from the Parliamentary Air Committee ; and what action the Government proposes to take in regard to the air position ? Major-General Seely asked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure that our safety in the air shall receive full consideration relatively to our other defensive services ? Viscount Curzon asked the Prime Minister whether the Committee of Imperial Defence has considered the adequacy or otherwise of the provision for the air defence of the country ; if so, what is their decision ; whether the same Committee has considered the adequacy or otherwise of the arrange ment made and the provision for aircraft working with the Royal Navy ; and, if so, whether the Dominions were represented at such deliberations and if they concur in the conclusion reached ? Mr. Lloyd George : Yes, Sir. I have received the letter in question. Long before this letter was written the attention of the Government had been directed to all the questions of aerial defence and development to which it refers, and a special sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence had been appointed to consider and report upon the general question which is now before the Committee of Imperial Defence. The arrangement for aircraft working with the Royal Navy is being considered by a separate committee. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks : Having regard to the very great importance which I know my right hon. friend attaches "to this question, may J ask whether then: is any possibility of him being able to make a statement in the approxi mately near future ? Mr. Lloyd George : The letter, I agree, contains some very impressive passages, and the Committee are examining the whole problem very closely. I think it would be a great mistake to be in a hurry to insist upon a report, because there are a good many considerations which must be taken into account. 376
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