68. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that, at a meeting of workmen, held on the 15th May near the works of the Austin Company, Northfields, Birmingham, to consider a dispute between this firm and the employés, thirteen aeroplanes were used to interfere with and break up the meeting and scatter leaflets; and whether he will make inquiries as to who was responsible for such action and give instructions that the use of aeroplanes and petrol in such a way is not to be countenanced?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE to the AIR MINISTRY (Major Baird)Aeroplanes flew over Birmingham on 15th May to drop leaflets advertising War Bonds. I have no reason to believe that their use for this purpose had any connection with the meeting referred to in the question. As I recently stated in answer to a question by the hon. Member for East Edinburgh, the use of aeroplanes for dropping leaflets has now been prohibited
§ Mr. BILLINGWill an inquiry be made into the case referred to?
§ Major BAIRDInquiry is always made into questions asked by hon. Members.