§ 55. Mr. BILLINGasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a statement that Germany is prepared to refrain from air attacks on this country providing British raids over German territory cease; and whether, having regard to the avowed policy of the Government that British air raids into Germany were in no sense reprisals but legitimate acts of war, he will accept this indication from Germany as an expression of the success of our new aggressive air policy, and, in consequence, redouble British aerial activity over German towns?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs regards the first part of the question, I have seen certain statements in the Press. As regards the second part of the question, the Government are doing everything in their power to make the raids into Germany effective.
§ Mr. BILLINGCan this House understand that the raids which are being carried out into Germany are considered 1158 by His Majesty's Government as legitimate acts of war, and will not be discontinued in the event of the enemy squealing on the point of reprisals?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe House does understand that they are, in our opinion, legitimate acts of war, but I by no means say that they are not undertaken as reprisals.