§ 54. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked if the War Cabinet will, in view of the recent outrages by German aeroplanes in this country, reconsider the question of reprisals?
§ 59. Major HUNTasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that it is not possible to prevent German airmen dropping bombs on our unfortified towns in the daytime on account of the height and speed at which they fly, he can say whether reprisals on German towns will now be repeatedly carried out until the Germans cease to practice this kind of inhumanity?
§ 85. Mr. BROOKESasked whether, in view of the recent air raid, the Government will now take into consideration the adoption of a vigorous policy of reprisals by air attack?
§ Mr. BILLING(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a copy of resolution proposed by the Lord Mayor and passed at a meeting of London citizens yesterday (Sunday), demanding immediate air reprisals, and what action does he propose to take?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs I have already indicated in answer to previous questions, it is a mistake to assume that air raiding is confined to the enemy. For the past year our air forces in France have raided the German communications and all the military objectives behind the enemy's lines which were sufficiently important to justify the enterprise. With the increase of our air forces, and the improvement in machines, air raiding against objectives at longer ranges is becoming more practicable, and the Government are in consultation with the military authorities here and with the Commander-in-Chief in France as to the most effective method of dealing with the situation; but it is obviously undesirable to give warning to the enemy as to our plans.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWill the Government very shortly give the House an opportunity of discussing the recent air raid and the condition of preparedness in England in regard to it?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIf there were a general desire in the House to discuss this or any other subject I should be bound to bow to it, but I do not think myself that it would be desirable.
§ Mr. BILLINGHas the resolution passed at the meeting held yesterday in London been brought to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman, and does he consider that the resolution of such a representative body should not receive consideration from the Government?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt has been brought to the notice of the Prime Minister and to my notice as well. Of course, the subject is one which is engaging the most serious attention of the Government.
§ Mr. HUNTDo the Government not consider that we should be quite justified in reprisals to save our wives and children?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWhat the Government hope to do is to take the most effective measures to deal with the situation. I do not think it desirable to say more.
§ Mr. PETOIs it not a fact that the air raids which the right hon. Gentleman spoke of in his answer to the questions addressed to him have no resemblance whatever to the air raid over the East End of London on last Wednesday, and have the Government an open mind, subject to the advice of their military advisers, as to the effect of a complete retribution, for that definite act, of a totally different character from anything that has yet been done?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Government have a perfectly open mind, in this sense—that we intend to take such steps as may seem most likely to the Government not merely to damage the enemy but to prevent raids of this kind.
§ Mr. BILLINGAre we to understand that there is no longer any question of principle in the mind of the Government as to whether we are to have reprisals, but that it is now merely a question of expediency?
§ Sir S. COLLINSDoes the Government think that, if we send aeroplanes to kill little innocent German babies, that is going to help the situation?
§ Mr. BILLINGMay I have an answer to my definite supplementary question—whether there is any longer any question of principle operating in the mind of the Government or is it purely a question of expediency?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have already said—and I can add nothing to it—that the Government are going to take such Steps as they think most effective.