§ 47. Mr. WATTasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the frequency of aircraft attacks and the primary necessity for rapidity in transmitting information as to their movements and anticipated direction, every effort is being made by the War Office to ensure at home simplicity in telephonic transmission of this information; if codes are necessary, are they of such a nature as to be easily and quickly understood by telephonists who may not as yet have had long experience or whose education may in some cases not be of the best; and are steps taken to prevent such codes leading to errors?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The hon. Member will, I am sure, agree with me that no information can be given as to whether codes are or are not in use.
§ 77. Sir E. CORNWALLasked whether insurance against injuries or loss of life due to Zeppelin raids can be effected under the Government scheme?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am much obliged to my hon. Friend for putting this question, which enables me to correct a misstatement which, owing to a misunderstanding, I made in an answer I gave him on 18th October. I then implied that it was possible to insure against injuries or loss of life under the Government scheme. This, of course, is not the case. In the opinion of the Government ample facilities already exist in the open market.
§ Sir E. CORNWALLWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of appointing a small committee to inquire and 1707 report as to the desirability of making this a national liability and not a personal loss?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes.