HC Deb 30 April 1913 vol 52 cc1160-2
31 Mr. KING

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) the names of the members of the Parliamentary Aerial Defence Committee who induced the War Office to purchase for £18,000, part of which sum was contributed by wealthy patriotic persons, the Clement-Bayard airship which has lately been dismantled; (2) whether, when the Clement-Bayard airship was dismantled, any of the parts were sold; if so, what sum was realised; if not, what value has been obtained for an airship which in 1910 was considered cheap at £18,000; and (3) whether he is aware that the Clement-Bayard airship purchased in October, 1910, was stated by its owner to have cost over £30,000 originally, but was soon after sold by him for £18,000; that this airship was declared by the Parliamentary Aerial Defence Committee to have proved her worth for military operations, but has proved of no military value whatsoever; and whether he will now publish all the correspondence about this airship which passed prior and subsequent to the purchase?

Colonel SEELY

There is no official record of the names of the Committee mentioned, of which the hon. and gallant Member for the Fareham Division was Chairman. No parts of the airship have as yet been sold. The engines are still available and are at the aircraft factory. As regards Question 33, the reply to the first part is in the affirmative; and as regards the second part, no such definite statement by the Committee can be traced. As regards the last part of the question, the reply is in the negative.

Mr. PIKE PEASE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he thinks that the action of the War Office in regard to this airship was justified? If the airship was fit for service, why was it not used, and if it was not fit for service, why was it purchased?

Colonel SEELY

I think part of the last two supplementary questions is answered in some of the replies I have just given. Of course, it is the fact that the envelope of this balloon leaked so badly that it would have been very costly to have inflated it. No doubt mistakes were made on both sides, by hon. Gentlemen on both sides of the House, as well as by my Department, but we have not made half as many mistakes in this matter as our neighbours.

Mr. PIKE PEASE

Was not the leakage known to the War Office before the ship was purchased?

Colonel SEELY

It was before my time. There was a strong Committee of this House engaged in these transactions, and I understand they thought the airship was serviceable, and I suppose we thought it was when it was taken over. Mistakes must be made in a new matter of this kind. We have not made very many mistakes of a large kind in the matter of airships. We have been signally successful.