SKY FLEETS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1817, 1 August 1913, Page 5

SKY FLEETS.

BRITAIN'S AIR SUPREMACY.

DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. July 31, 10.50 p.m.) London, July 31. The principal topic of discussion during the House of Commons debate on tho Army and Navy vote was tho insuliicicncy of aeroplanes. lir. G. J. Sandys (Unionist) detailed the results of his and Mr. Joynson-Hicks's investigations on that subject. They found that only forty-four aeroplanes would bo available if war were declared. Colonel Seely's (Secretary of State for War) total of 120 machines was only arrived at by including machines under repair, and monoplanes which coukl not bo used, as they were dangerous for flying. Colonel Sejly, in reply, explained that, normally, forty per cent, of tlio establish, ment was under repair. Ninety aeroplanes were now op order. The pilots of tlio Central I'lving School had flown over 100,000 miles without serious accidcnt. Colonel Seely added that tho military aerial wing lad flown 135,000 miles without serious accident. LESSONS OF MANOEUVRES. AERO STATIONS TO ENCIRCLE THE | COAST. I (Rec. July 31, 10.50 p.m.) [ London, July 31. ! It Is stated that the Government has decided fca encirclo tho coast with aeroplane stations, from fifty to a hundred miles apart, owing to the success of aviators in. detecting submarines during tho recent naval manoeuvres.