§ 33 and 35. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many aeroplanes we possess capable of flying at speeds sufficiently in excess of the Zeppelin dirigible to be able to circle round and successfully attack one, and how many Army pilots we have capable of flying such aeroplanes at such high speed; and (2) whether the Zeppelin dirigibles can attain a speed of nearly sixty miles an hour and remain afloat for thirty hours at a stretch; and whether, as against this, we have any dirigible whatever of any practical value?
§ Colonel SEELYZeppelin airships are reported to have attained a speed of between fifty and sixty miles an hour, and some of the later types have accomplished distances of 800 miles in thirty hours without descending to earth. With regard to the rest of the questions I do not consider it expedient to make any statement with regard to methods for meeting attacks from hostile aircraft.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSMay we not know how many air pilots we have capable of flying at the highest speed?
§ Colonel SEELYYes, on a detail of that kind I will be most glad to give information to the House.
§ Mr. KINGIs it not the fact that the German Government have given up the Zeppelin because aeroplanes are so much more effective?
§ Colonel SEELYNo, that is not quite the case.