§ 22. Mr. PEMBERTON BILLINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to consider the standardisation of some type of bomb-dropping machine that they may be produced in a sufficient quantity to undertake a sustained offensive behind the enemy's lines?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the AIR BOARD (Major Baird)The possibility of such a standardisation as the hon. Member suggests is being kept in mind. But the production of various types of aeroplanes must be governed by the requirements of the naval and military Services.
§ 23. Mr. BILLINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the 1722 machines known as BE 2 C, BE 2 E, and BE 2 D are now being used for offensive work or for bomb-dropping behind the German lines; and, if so, what is the average speed and climb of these machines?
§ Major BAIRDThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part, therefore, does not arise.
§ Mr. BILLINGAm I to understand that these machines are not being employed over the lines?
§ Major BAIRDThat was not the question the hon. Member put down.
§ Mr. PRINGLE"For offensive work," yes.
§ Mr. BILLINGAre these machines going over the lines for offensive work? It is a perfectly straightforward question.
§ Major BAIRDIt would not be in the public interest to state what kind of machines are used.
§ Mr. BILLINGDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that it would be in the interests of the pilots?
§ Major BAIRDI certainly appreciate that, but the hon. Member must recollect that any answer given here is at once sent over to Germany, and it does not suit us, in the interests of the pilots or of anybody else, that the Germans should have this information.