IMPERIAL AIR SERVICES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18710, 16 May 1924, Page 9

IMPERIAL AIR SERVICES.

ADOPTION OF A PLAN.

EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME.

NEW CRAFT TO BE BUILT.

OVERSEA BASE DESIGNED.

EXPENDITURE OF £1,200,000.

By Telegraph— Association— Copyright (Received 11.55 p.m.) Reuter. LONDON. May 15 An important statement concerning Empire air services was made in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald. He announced that the Government had rejected the Airship Guarantee Company's scheme for Imperial airships, commonly known as the Burney scheme, because it would have created a virtual monopoly. Moreover, it contained features which were objectionable on financial and technical grounds. The Government nevertheless had formed the opinion that it was essential to carry out as soon as possible a constructive programme of airship development, continued Mr. Mac Donald. It *-ns therefore proposed to authorise the Air Ministry to initiate forthwith a comprehensive programme of lighter-than-air research and experiments, including fullscale experiments with existing airships.

The Air Ministry would undertake the construction of a second airship with a capacity of 5,000,000 cubic feet', •and also the construction of terminal and intermediate bases overseas to enable the two ' ships to safely operate between England and India. Simultaneously the Air Ministry would give the Airship Guarantee Company the first offer of a contract for an airship for commercial purposes.

In reply to a question Mr. Mac Donald refused to state where the overseas bases for the' airships would be situated. He said it would not be in the public's interest to reveal this. He said the proposed contract would include a clause *o permit the constructors to repurchase the ship from the Air Ministry at a reduced figure on the completion of satisfactory trials. A condition would be that it should be operated in connection with an approved British commercial airship service, and be available for use by the State. . ,

The Prime Minister added that the 'existing airship stations at Cardington and Bulham would remain the property of the State instead of passing into private hands. The ownership of the new base overseas would be also vested in the State. A three years' programme only would be authorised in the first instance. It was estimated that the expenditure in that three years would not exceed £1,200,000. A supplementary estimate in this connection would shortly be submitted.