BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1930, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

IN THE K3OMMONS

THE AIR ESTIMATES

(British Offioial Wireless.)

(Received thi« dav at 11 a.m., RUGBY, March 25. When the Air Estimates were considered on the report stage, Sir Samuel Hoa.re (Air Minister in the late Government) put a number of questions. He said he did not wish to enter into any controversy as to whether the Government’s decision not , to compete again for the Schneider Cup was wise or not, but he wished to know ,whether experiments were still being made with , high speed machines. He also wished to know what had been done with regard to autogyro machines. , Mr Montague (Under Secretary for Air) replying, said the Air Ministry realised the importance of research work. Regarding high speed flights ~„.this would go on at Felixstowe where high speed officers had posts and they . .would • carry, out with . the aid of the • : Gloucester machines which took part in the Schneider Cup contest, further research work which would be as valuable as the work done previous to that race. The autogyro flying boat was still under development and a hew autogyro boat would probably he ordered in 1930 to embody all the experience obtained up to date. For a great many service purposes, bowd ever, a flying boat of that description would hardly Ibe suitable. New types of flying boats included a boat heavier than the Southampton which bad.' been introduced into the service. With regard to gliders Mr Montague believed the principle requirement for their development was an tip Current of air, and this country was not so suitable for flying them as Germany or other places' on the Continent, but there was the development .of the gliding machine. In regard to an international pooling of ideas of research, this prinieple had been carried out. The' Aeronautical Research Committee of the United States had been in close touch witil : this country and the development of 8101 airship was carried through to a great extent in close touch with airship development and airship experience! in other countries, especially in Germany.