HC Deb 07 August 1916 vol 85 cc677-8
88 and 89. Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEY

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if his attention has recently been called to another instance in this country of our anti-aircraft guns firing at our own aircraft; whether in an official communiqué, which was issued for publication, the instance was described as a flight of enemy aircraft arriving over our shores and successfully driven off by the effective fire of our anti-aircraft guns; if he can say whether this official communiqué was with drawn, and by whom; if a second but entirely contradictory communiqué was issued to take its place; if he can give the reasons why this change was considered necessary; if he will inform the House whether the details of this incident, as described in the first communiqué, were found to be untrue; if so, whether the real truth was disclosed in the second communiqué; if not, if he will explain the reason, and issue a full Report of the incident referred to; and (2) whether, when our own aircraft were fired upon on a recent occasion by our anti-aircraft guns, our airmen were in any danger of their lives; and, if so, whether the communiqué describing the incident as enemy aircraft successfully driven off by our anti-aircraft guns may be relied upon as true, so far as the efficiency of these guns is concerned, or whether the airmen concerned were never in any danger, in spite of the firing, owing to the ineffective range of the guns?

Major BAIRD

(representing the Air Board): Rare instances have occurred, as in the case referred to, of our anti-aircraft guns firing at our own aircraft, and are, it is to be feared, occasionally to be expected in aerial warfare. They have been adequately dealt with by the competent authorities, and no one but the enemy would gain by their being discussed in public. No such communiqués as are referred to were issued for publication, the incident being discovered before official notification could be made.

Mr. BILLING

Would the hon. Gentleman mind telling me who gives the order for firing the aircraft guns, or is it independent firing?

Major BAIRD

The officers commanding the battery give the order?

Mr. BILLING

Can the hon. Gentleman answer the question whether it is independent firing?

Major BAIRD

I cannot say what orders are given, but the officers commanding the battery give the orders.

Mr. BILLING

Will the hon. Gentleman find out?