§ 10. Sir WILLIAM BYLESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what the Government is doing to combat the asphyxiating gas employed by the enemy; whether any adequate protection for our troops has yet been devised; whether any disabling gas, not cruel or inhuman in its effects, has been adopted by way of reprisal; and to what extent has the aid and advice of scientific men, chemists and others, been called in to meet this new and deadly weapon of warfare?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am afraid this is not a matter upon which I can give my hon. Friend full information as that would not be in the public interest. But I may assure him that effective measures for protection against these attacks have been and are being taken. The assistance of scientific men has not only been freely offered, but is also being fully utilised.
§ Sir W. BYLESCan the right hon. Gentleman make any observations about the phrase "not cruel and inhuman in its effects"?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo, Sir, I am unable to say whether the proposals of His Majesty's Government will be effective and whether their efficiency will entail cruelty or not.