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Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0295.PDF
MAY 22. 1924 THE ROYAL London Gazette, May 13, 1924 General Duties Branch Flight-Lieut. C. Boumphrey, D.F.C., is granted a permanent commn., in the rank stated (May 14) ; R. S. Barbour is granted a short service commn. as Flying Officer, with effect from, and with senv. of May 1 ; Flight-Lieut. L. J. Killmayer, M.B.E., is placed on the retired last (May 14) ; Sqdn. Leader R. Hutton is transferred to the Reserve, Class C (May 16). Medical Branch Flight-Lieut. W. D. Miller, M.B., is transferred to Res., Class D, 2 (May 15). Reserve of Air Force Officers. The following are granted commas, on probation in General Duties Branch, A1K FCRCEffi in ranks stated (May 13):—Class A.- Flying Officer.—G. H. Wenn. Pilot Offrs.—J. J. Scholes, W. E. Taylor. The following Officers are confirmed in rank, with effect from dates indicated :— Flying Offrs.~F. W. Knox (Nov. 8, 1923) ; J. VV. Thomson (April 16) ; J. S. Stubbs, D.F.C., A.F.C. (April 18) ; J. P. Morkham, U.F.C. (April 23) ; L. A. Lewis (May 13). Pilot Offrs.- A. E. Roberts (April 8) ; H. J. L. Jones (April 12) ; E. A. Burbidge (April 17) ; E. J. Wing (April 18) ; W. A. Rollason (May 5) ; H. H. Perry (May 6). Obsrvr. Offr. F. W. Brown is transferred from Class B to Class C (Feb. 17) ; Flying Offr. C. B. J. Lancaster resigns his commn. (March 4). Memorandum. Lieut. H. B. Shepheard, half-pay list, Army R.A.F., on retirement from the Army (May 7). granted rank of Capt.. ROYAL AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE Appointments.—The following appointments in the R.A.F. are notified:— General Duties Branch Wing Commander : G. R. Bromet, D.S.O., O.B.E., to H.Q. Mediterranean for Air Staff duties with C. in C. Mediterranean Fleet. 9.5.24. Flight Lieutenants : J. E. B. B. Maclean, D.S.C., and A. L. Russell, to K.A.F. Depot (Non-effective Pool) on transfer to Home Estabt. 24.4.24 D. W. King, to H.Q., Iraq. 26.3.24. H. G. R. Malet, to R.A.F. Base, Gosport (No. 420 Flight). 17.4.24. O. R. Gayford, D.F.C., to No. 29 Sqdn., Duxford. 22.5.24. E. P. Hardman, D.F.C., to No. 1 Flying Training Sch., Netheravon. 16.5.24. Flying Officers : L. A. W. Deane, to No. 99 Sqdn., Bircham Newton. 3.-6.24. E. H. Rundle, to No. 2 Flying Training Sch., Duxford. 22.5.24. D. S. Cairnes, to No. Ill Sqdn., Duxford. 10.5.24. C. W. Dann, M.C., to Schl. of Army Co-operation, Old Sarum. 19.5.24. J. de la P. B. Preston, to Station Commandant, Iraq. 26.4.24. C. Sutton, to Basrah Group H.Q. 28.4.24. Pilot Officers: T. W. G. Cattell, to No. 29 Sqdn., Duxford. 16.5.24. F. S. Henderson, to No. 30 Sqdu., Iraq. 9.4.24. Stores Branch Flight Lieutenants : W. Sutherland, M.B.E., to No. 1 Schl. of Tech. Training (Boys), Ha'.ton. 20.5.24. A. Garrity to Air Ministry. 3.6.24. Flying Officers : R. Craig, to No. 5 Flying Training Sch., Shotwick. 3.6.24. H. F. Webb, to No. 5 Flying Training Sch., Shotwick. 26.5.24. E. F. Elliott, to No. 13 Sqdn., Andover. 26.5.24. J. H. P. Clarke, to No. 31 Sqdn., India. 15.3.24. F. A. R. Smith, to No. 5 Sqdn., India. 15.3.24. F. M. Gingold (Accountant), M.B.E., to H.Q., Egypt. 25.4.24. Medical Brunch Flight Lieutenants : J. C. Osburne, M.I!., to Baghdad Combined Hospital, Iraq. 23.4.24. ]. Prendergast, M.B., B.A., to Aircraft Depot, Iraq. 19.2.24. J. D. Leahy, M.C., M.B., B.A., to Aircraft Depot, India. 15.4.24. A. E. Jenkins, to No. 12 Sqdn., Andover. 1.4.24. Flvmg Officers: F. K. Wilson, M.B., to Basrah Combined Hospital, Iraq. 11.4.24. T. V. O'Brien, M.B., to H.Q., Egvpt. 9.5.24. T. Glynn, M.B., to R.A.F. Base, Leuchars. 2.5.24. R. L. C. Fisher, M.B.. to R.A.F. Depot. 19.5.24. G. P. O'Connell, M.B., to R.A.F. Depot. 15.5.24. IN PARLIAMENT • British Airship Service and Government Proposals LIEUT.-COLONEL SIR S. HOARE on May 14 asked the Prime Minister whether he could make a statement of the Government's policy in connection with airships ? The Prime Minister : After careful examination His Majesty's Government have decided to reject the scheme put forward by the Airship Guarantee Company—commonly known as the Burney scheme. In their opinion this scheme would have entailed the creation of a virtual monopoly, and contained a number of other features which are open to objection both on financial and technical grounds. At the same time, His Majesty's Government share the view of their predecessors that it is essential to carry into effect as early as possible a constructive programme of airship development. They propose, accordingly, to authorise the Air Ministry to initiate forthwith a comprehensive programme of lighter-than-air research and experiment at Cardington, including full-scale experiments with one of the existing ships, which will be reconditioned for the purpose, and to undertake the early construction of a new airship of a capacity of 5,000,000 cubic feet. Further, the Air Ministry will undertake the construction of a terminal and an intermediate base overseas, with the necessary facilities to enable these two ships to be operated with safety between England and India. Simultaneously, the Air Ministry will give the Airship Guarantee Company the first offer of a contract for the construction of a second ship for commercial purposes. It is proposed that this contract shall include a clause under which the constructors will be permitted to repurchase the ship from the Air Ministry at a reduced figure on completion of satisfactory living trials, provided— (1) that it is to be operated in connection with an approved British commercial airship service ; and (2) that it shall be available for use by the State as required. By these means private initiative will be linked with lighter-than-air develop ment from the start, and, in the event of success, the early inauguration of commercial airship services open to all firms likely to be interested will be facilitated. At the same time, this second vessel will provide the nucleus of a reserve of personnel and material. Such a reserve will be essential if, as is hoped, airships prove capable of fulfilling certain important defensive functions— a development from which material economies in other forms of defence expenditure may ultimately result. These proposals should enable two airships to be placed in commission in a shorter period than under the original scheme, since the Government and commercial vessels will be laid down simultaneously. They will, moreover, result in the maintenance of two separate airship manufacturing plants and other ground facilities on a scale which will admit ci rapid expansion. Fur ther, the valuable existing airship stations at Cardiugtou and Pulham will remain State property, instead of passing into private hands, whilst ownership of the new bases to be constructed overseas will also be vested in the State. As regards the financial aspect, under these proposals it will not be necessary to incur from the outset the very heavy commitments—amounting to a trtal sum of £4,800.000 over a period of 15 years—which would be involved by the original scheme. A three years' programme only will be authorised in the first instance, and no decision will be necessary as to further development until this programn e is Hearing completion, when much fuller data will be available than at present. It is estimated that, allowing for the repurchase of the second ship hv its con structors, the net expenditure involved in 1924-25, 1925-26 and 1926-27 will not exceed £1,200,000. A supplementary estimate in respect of the sum required for this service in the current year will be laid before the House at an early date. My noble friend, the Secretary of State for Air, will make a fuller statement on this subject on Wednesday, the 21st instant, in another place. Sir S. Hoare : Is the Prime Minister aware that the estimate of £4,000,000 which he has just quoted was for six airships and not for two and, therefore, the figures he has given are not comparable at all. Further, whilst obviously we cannot go into details today upon this question, will the. right hon. gentle man arrange for the supplementary estimate to be taken as early as possible so that we shall have an opportunity of debating the statement which he ha? just made, without any delay. The Prime Minister : I think the latter part of the question is, perhaps, the more important, namely, that the supplementary estimate should be put down at an early date. It is quite obviously impossible to discuss this matter or in fact to give very much more information on this matter by question and answer. I should like to say, however, that it is perfectly true that the £4,800,000 was for the construction, as it was hoped, of six airships, all of whkh would belong to private companies at the end, whereas our scheme, 1 think, is much better financially than that. Still, that is a matter which will have to be raised on the supplementary estimate. Arising out of this, Mr. Tom Johnston then raised the question of the infor mation which had appeared in The Times on May 14, and complained of Cabi net decisions being conveved in that way before the House of Commons had learned the facts, and the Prime Minister declared that he considered the practice most reprehensible. Commander Burney explained the circumstances, and the matter then dropped. Aircraft Speed MR. BECKER, on May 16, asked the Under-Secretary of State Tor Air if his attention has been drawn to the great speeds of which foreign aeroplanes are capable ; if we have any aeroplanes which are capable of speeds exceeding 160 m.p.h. ; if so, how many different types ; and what is the total number of aeroplanes in commission which can fly at these speeds ? The Under-Secretary of State for Air : My attention has been drawn to a statement in the Press to the effect referred" to, but it would not be in the public interest to make an official pronouncement in regard to its accuracy, or to give the information requested. Mr. Becker : Does that mean that we have no aeroplanes that can fly at these speeds ? Mr. Leach : Nothing of the sort. Colonel Gretton : Can the hon. gentleman say whether w? have aeroplanes capable of flights at the speed attained by aeroplanes belonging to other nations ? Mr. Leach : I am not prepared to answer that question, but the hon. Member ought not to disturb himself about it. Sir F. Hall : Does the hon. Member, recognise that the reason why wc arc disturbed on this side of the House is because we know the feelings of the hon. Member in regard to the matter. Air Force Stations and Portsmouth SIR T. BHAMSUO.S- asked the Under-Secretary nf State for Air if the erection of a new aircraft station on the south coast is contemplated ; and if, in view of the recent institution of the naval arm, he will investigate the advantages of building such a station or factory in the vicinity of Portsmouth, where land and dockvard assistance are available ? Mr. Leach : In answer to the first part of the question, no addition to the number of Air Force stations on the south coast is contemplated in the immediate future. As regards the second part, the hon. Member's suggestion will be borne in mind if and when the question of the establishment of an additional station arises. Admiralty and Air Board COMMANDER BELLAIRS on May 19 asked the Prime Minister whether he could make a statement as to the arrangements come to on the matters in dispute between the Admiralty and the Air Board on which inquiry has taken place ? The Prime.Minister : Satisfactory progress has been made. The Admiralty, after consultation with the Air Ministry, have issued a Fleet Order calling for volunteers from the Navy for Fleet'air work in which the conditions of service are set forth. Conversations are taking place between the two Departments on certain questions of detail. Airships Contract SIR S. HOARE asked the Prime Minister whether he will immediately circulate as a White Paper the contract signed between the Government and a commercial group with reference to the construction of our airships ? Mr. Leach : I have been asked to reply. The contract has not yet been signed, but agreement with the Airship Guarantee Company has been reached on all points of substance and the draft is being submitted to the legal advisers on both sides. I should perhaps point out that, as provision for the develop ment of airships was omitted from the Air Estimates pending a decision by the Government on the policy to be adopted, the contract will not be signed until the necessary Supplementary Estimate has been taken. The Secretary of State for Air proposes to give a full account of the Government proposals on Wednesday in another place, and I shall, of course, in intro ducing the Supplementary Estimate, be prepared to give this House any further details in my power. 295
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