HC Deb 19 April 1917 vol 92 cc1819-20
55. Mr. BILLING

asked the Prime Minister if he will arrange a Secret Session to enable him to give the Members of the House of Commons the facts which were supplied to General Smuts and Sir Robert Borden, and which enabled them to make such assurances as to the condition of the Air Service?

Mr. BONAR LAW

It is proposed to take the Estimates of the Air Board on Thursday next. The Government have decided that a Private Sitting of the House is desirable, and I hope to be able to say next week what arrangements will be made for it.

Mr. BILLING

Is it understood that this House will have the information which was supplied to General Smuts and Sir Robert Borden, which enabled them to make these statements?

Mr. BONAR LAW

In the opinion of the Government it is desirable that there should be a public discussion of the Air Board upon the Estimates in the ordinary way. After that there will be nothing to prevent its being discussed in the Private Session to which I have referred.

Mr. BILLING

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Air Board Vote will come on?

56. Mr. BILLING

asked the Prime Minister if he will request the Chairman of the Air Board to meet the Members of the House of Commons in secret conference before the Air Vote comes before the House?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the AIR BOARD (Major Baird)

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The Air Board Vote will be taken at an early date, and my Noble Friend considers it preferable that the public discussion of matters concerning the Air Services, for which the Vote will provide an opportunity, should precede any such conference as is suggested by the hon. Member.

Mr. BILLING

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think it would be better that the Chairman of the Air Board should have an opportunity of making any statement he may wish to make to Members of the House before this discussion takes place, so that it might be found unnecessary to raise points which otherwise might be raised?

Major BAIRD

I have already given the hon. Member the opinion of the Chairman of the Air Board, which is contrary to the view taken by himself.