§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether during a visit of Continental and British aeronauts to the War Office balloon factory at Farnborough on Thursday, the secrets of the new military airship and war balloons were revealed 1547 and the visitors were pledged to secrecy; and, if so, whether the disclosure of secrets was made by his authority.
§ MR. HALDANENO, Sir. Instructions were specially given to ensure that nothing of an important or confidential character should be shown.
§ MR. LONSDALEasked whether the visitors on this occasion were not given some information as to the construction of the airship.
§ MR. HALDANEsaid a great many people had seen aeroplanes and dirigible balloons—they were a favourite spectacle on the Continent and here, when they could be seen—but as to secrets being disclosed, that was a very different business.
§ MR. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman say were secrets disclosed?
§ MR. HALDANENo, they were not disclosed.