§ 72. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air the relative strength of the Air Force stationed in Europe of Great Britain, the French Republic, and the kingdom of Belgium; the relative numbers of fighting, spotting, and bombing machines, respectively, of modern construction and fit for service maintained in Europe by these three Powers; and what are the numbers of trained pilots, observers, and mechanics, respectively, maintained by these three Powers in Europe on the active list?
§ 75. Major ATTLEEasked the Secretary of State for Air the total number of military and civil aeroplanes built and building in France, in French possessions, and in European territory occuped by France; the number of squadrons; the number of aircraft in each squadron; and the number and weight of explosive and chemically charged bombs carried by the latest type of French fighting plane?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe information asked for in these questions involves a detailed examination of varied and voluminous data and the collation of a number of statistics. I would, therefore, ask the hon. and gallant Gentlemen to allow me to send them as full a reply as is possible as soon as it can be prepared.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has the information in the question, and whether he can state these numbers for which I have asked?
§ Sir S. HOAREWe have got some of the information, but not all of it. I will send the hon. and gallant Member as much as I can.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay we take it that we have the means of ascertaining the air strength of the European Powers accurately, and that we have an efficient Intelligence Service?
§ Sir S. HOAREYes, that, certainly, is so; but exactly what information I can give the hon. and gallant Member I am not quite certain till I have had further time to consider it.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCould we not have the information for all the Members, instead of for a few specified Members, say, in answer to a question next Session?
§ Sir S. HOAREI am quite ready to answer a question next Session, or to publish the answer that I send to the two hon. Members, as soon as it is ready.