HC Deb 03 April 1917 vol 92 cc1100-1
30. Mr. BILLING

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why it is held to be in the interests of the country to withhold information in connection with the air raids which have been carried out in the past against the enemy centres and submarine bases?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Communications respecting such raids have from time to time been issued to the Press.

Mr. BILLING

Are we to understand that all the raids which have taken place from Dunkirk in the last twelve months have been communicated to the Press?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I say that communications have been issued to the Press, and I observe that as regards various raids there have been no fewer than twenty-seven.

Mr. BILLING

Are we to understand that for the last twelve months a matter of many thousands of machines have only inititated twenty-seven raids?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I did not say that.

Mr. BILLING

Then what are we to understand? I beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise the whole question of the Naval Air Service on the Motion for the Adjournment for Easter.