§ 47. Mr. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister by whose permission leaflets advertising the Ealing comrades day were dropped from Army aeroplanes on 16th May?.
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Major Baird)The permission referred to was given by a responsible Air Force officer. I would add that by a decision of the Air Council which had been arrived at before the date mentioned in the question but had not then been promulgated, the use of aeroplanes for the purpose of flying exhibitions or the dropping of leaflets has been prohibited.
§ Mr. HOGGECould the hon. Gentleman explain why the Air Service, after repeated assurances by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the House that they have nothing to do with the Comrades of the Great War, gave permission for propaganda for the purpose of this organisation to be dropped from national aeroplanes?
§ Major BAIRDI have seen the leaflet, and I can imagine that the commanding officer would look upon it simply as a charitable organisation to help men who had been wounded, and it would be quite a natural thing that he would give it his help without previous instructions.
§ Mr. HOGGEDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that the Comrades of the Great War is a charitable organisation?
§ Major BAIRDI am not prepared to argue that point—I do not think it arises —but I am quite sure that the leaflet would give that impression to the officer commanding.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLIs not this question raised as a matter of spite and jealousy?