Major WHITE (on behalf of Captain Tryon)asked whether the Territorial Balloon Company was ready for immediate mobilisation; and, if so, to what division it would be attacked upon mobilisation?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe Territorial Balloon Company is not yet equipped for mobilisation. The future organisation of the Regular Balloon Companies is at present under consideration, and the organisation of this company will depend on the decision arrived at. The Balloon Company forms part of Army troops, and is not allotted to any division on mobilisation.
MARQUESS Of TULLIBARDINEIs it a fact that the balloon with which this Company is equipped is a cast one from India, and is incapable of taking hydrogen; that it has only sufficient lifting power to raise its own basket or a man, but not both at the same time; and that the greatest altitude it has attained in this country is 80 ft.?
§ Mr. HALDANEAs the Noble Marquess knows, the science of aviation, particularly military aviation, is in a very transitional stage, and I trust that before many months are over, we shall have very different balloons to work with.
MARQUESS Of TULLIBARDINEIt can only raise 24½ lbs. besides a light man and its equipment, so that it could not raise even the Income Tax.