§ 79. Sir ALFRED GELDERasked the Secretary of State for War why the protection by anti-aircraft guns has been taken away from a certain city on the East Coast, after having been used so effectively to repel attacks by Zeppelins for several months past; whether he is aware that the removal of such guns has resulted in a serious loss of life and property on 7th August; and whether the military authorities are taking proper steps to immediately replace the guns removed by others of at least equal capacity and number, together with suitable searchlights, for the due protection of the city so that at least it may be guarded as fully as in the past?
§ Major BAIRD (representing the Air Board)The suggestions contained in 1418 this question are based on an entire misapprehension of the facts in regard to the defences of the particular town which I presume that the hon. Member has in mind. It would not be in the public interest to make any detailed statement on the matter. No guns have been removed except on replacement by guns of greater efficiency. The searchlights available in this town are of the approved pattern, and are effective under normal conditions, but their efficiency is inevitably diminished should there happen to be fog and mist.
§ Sir A. GELDERIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the statement of last Thursday in reply to the hon. Member for East Hull (Mr. Ferens) and also the statement made to-day are quite contrary to the testimony of thousands of people who witnessed the raid, and who deny some of the statements which have been made?
§ Major BAIRDI am aware that there have been statements of that kind made, but I have given the hon. Gentleman the facts, and you cannot get over them. The facts are as stated.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIs the Air Board responsible for these arrangements?
§ Major BAIRDNo.
§ Sir A. GELDERWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman give an assurance that guns and searchlights will not again be removed except when more adequate and complete arrangements are made for repelling the enemy?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that question.
§ Mr. R. HARCOURTMay I ask whether questions on this subject are now addressed to the Air Board, and not to the War Office?
§ Major BAIRDI am asked to answer these questions by my right hen. Friend.
§ Mr. BILLINGDoes the hon. and galgant Gentleman definitely state that no guns whatsoever were removed from this particular town between the last raid and the one previous to it?
§ Major BAIRDNo, Sir; I said nothing of the kind. I said what is the truth, that when guns have been removed they have been replaced by better ones.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman say which right hon. Friend of his has asked him to answer these questions? It was not quite clear.
§ Major BAIRDMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War (Mr. Lloyd George).
§ Sir. A. GELDERI beg to give notice that I will raise this question, on the Adjournment of the House, not being satisfied with the answer given.