VOTE 3. Technical and Warlike Stores (including Experimental and Research Services). This Vote includes provision for all aircraft and other technical equipment required for the Royal Air Force, for experimental and research services, for inspection, for airship purchase and development, and for awards to inventors. The cost of the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough is shown under subhead B of this Vote, and that of the Royal Airship Works at Cardington under subhead O. Supplies to the Royal Air Force in Iraq, in Palestine and Trans-Jordan, and in Aden are recoverable from the Vote for Middle Eastern Services and in the case of India from Indian revenues. Supplies to Army and Indian units in Iraq are recoverable from Army Votes and from the Vote for Middle Eastern Services respectively. Appropriations in Aid in respect of such supplies are included in subhead P. Provision for the purchase of technical equipment for civil aviation is made under Vote 8 and for Meteorological Services under Vote 9. Scientific and laboratory apparatus for educational purposes is provided for under Vote 6. Details of the provision included in this Vote for Scientific Research and Technical Development are shown in Appendix No. 2. There is an increase of 558,000l. in the gross total of the Vote due mainly to increased requirements in aircraft and engines necessitated by the expansion of the Royal Air Force and by the replacement of obsolescent types. Appropriations-in-Aid show a decrease of 75,0007., whilst an overhead cut of 300,000l. has been made to allow for probable underspending, thus making the net increase 333,0007. (24471) 3 A.-AEROPLANES, SEAPLANES, ENGINES, AND SPARES. This subhead provides for the purchase of complete aircraft and engines; for their reconditioning and repair; for spare parts and parachutes; also for research and development work under these heads, whether carried out by contract or at the Royal Aircraft Establishment. For 1927, provision is made for two new regular squadrons and one non-regular Squadron for home defence; for five new flights for the Fleet Air Arm; and one new flight for Army Co-operation purposes. The increase is due mainly to larger number of aircraft and engines required for replacement of obsolescent types and for the Expansion Scheme, largely offset as regards aircraft by reduced provision for reconditioning. B.-EXPERIMENTAL AND RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENTS. In addition to showing the cost of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, this subhead includes provision for the salaries and wages of personnel at other Experimental and Research Establishments and for Fees to consultants. The cost of the Airworthiness, Technical Publications and Contracts Technical Supervision Sections of the Royal Aircraft Establishment is shown separately under item 2, as although these Sections are located at Farnborough, their work is independent of that establishment. The Royal Aircraft Establishment is maintained for experimental and research purposes. The establishment and scales of pay of the salaried staff at the Royal Aircraft Establishment and at other Experimental and Research Establishments are sanctioned by the Treasury. Certain of the Technical Development staff are pensionable under the Superannuation Acts. The Scientific Research staff are pensionable under the Federated Universities Superannuation Scheme. A flight of Royal Air Force officers is attached to the Royal Aircraft Establishment for testing experimental designs in the air. The rates of wages payable to civilian employees are determined by the Air Ministry, and are based on rates current in the district. New Works Services.--Work on the erection of a Spinning Tower was commenced in 1924-25, and provision is now made for its completion. A low temperature and low pressure chamber is being erected, in order to enable pilots to be tested under the conditions obtaining at high altitudes; this work will, it is hoped, be completed in 1927. The total estimated cost of the work to be undertaken at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, including wages, materials, and overhead charges, is provided for under subheads A, D, E, F, G and J of this Vote and the expenditure is taken up in the manufacturing accounts which are included in the Appropriation Account. The portion of this total cost which represents cash expenditure is deducted from the total of the subhead, which shows finally a net figure representing capital expenditure on buildings, machinery, and increase of stores in stock. The balance of the total cost representing depreciation and diminution of stock is credited as an Appropriation-in-Aid under subhead P. Fees.-Aeronautical Research Committee. Official members receive no fees, and the provision herein is in respect of non-official members only. Fees are paid to experts employed on special investigations connected with research problems, or for general consultation. Travelling Expenses.-This subhead includes approximately 6,000l. for travelling expenses of staff (about 250 in number) visiting contractor's works and various research establishments throughout the country for the purposes of technical supervision of contracts, airworthiness investigations, and co-ordination of experimental work in progress, VOTE 3.-TECHNICAL AND WARLIKE STORES (INCLUDING EXPERIMENTAL AND RESEARCH SERVICES)-continued. (4) Throughout this Vote the rates and scales of pay of civilian staff shown in brackets (except where shown as inclusive) carry an addition in respect of cost of living bonus payable in accordance with the scheme set out in Appendix 5 on page 125. The money provision for each item represents the total remuneration including bonus where payable. (b) In occupation of official residence. (c) One of these posts is filled by a Senior Assistant on a scale 6501.-201.-8001. (4) The establishment provides for three Principal Technical Officers, but one of the posts is filled by a Wing Commander, R.A.F., and one by a Squadron Leader, R.A.F., on R.A.F. pay and allowances, provided for under item (b) of this subhead. |