§ 32. Mr. BILLINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War to state what type of machine the late Captain Keevil, Royal Flying Corps, was flying when he was recently killed in this country; whether he was flying under peace or war conditions; if any inquiry has been made into the circumstances; and, if so, what were the findings of that inquiry?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the AIR BOARD (Major Baird)Captain Keevil was killed when flying under war conditions. It would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for in the other parts of the question.
§ Mr. BILLINGWas this man flying under war conditions with a machine which was not suited to war conditions?
§ Major BAIRDThat is quite inaccurate, and it is not in the public interest that I should say anything further about the matter.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill the hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question which asks whether an inquiry-has been held?
§ Major BAIRDI said I had nothing to add.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the House of Commons not entitled to an answer to the simple question—I do not ask the result—whether an inquiry has been held?
§ Major BAIRDOf course, we cannot make an official inquiry into the case of every man killed at the front.
§ Mr. BILLINGI should like to say—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] I will raise this matter on the first opportunity, and state the kind of machine and the conditions under which this occurred.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is entitled to give notice, but not to make observations.