§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS (by Private Notice)asked the Under-Secretary of State 1436 for War whether he has any further news about the air raid, or any statement to I make?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am afraid that I can add nothing to the Press communique issued through the Press Bureau shortly before noon, which contains all the information at present available. The casualties will be published as soon as the returns are complete.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWill the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of making a little more mention of our own gallant airmen, possibly of their names, who went up last night?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI believe the House will be interested to know that about seventy went up last night.
§ Mr. LYNCHHow is it possible that after three and a half years of war such raids can be undertaken over London with impunity and that these Gothas can escape unscathed, and does it not indicate something absolutely rotten with the system?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe hon. Gentle. man does not take into account the number of times they have been turned back.
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTHow many enemy aeroplanes came over last night?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI think the proper estimate would be ten.
§ Mr. T. DAVIESMay I ask if all ours returned safely?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONYes.
§ Mr. LOUGHIs it true that there were casualties, not caused by the explosion or bombs, but by crowding into shelters, and, if so, will anything be done to prevent a repetition of that?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThere were, I regret to say, some—very few.