§ 73. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether, as the result of the further inquiries into the circumstances which led to the premature announcement that Lieutenant Mars, Royal Air Force, was missing, he can say in what remote part of France the airman descended, when the news of his safety was received, and why it was withheld from the public until a question was put in the House; whether, in fact, Lieutenant Mars had been seen flying over the North Sea; whether he was at the Brussels aerodrome during the time of the alleged flight; and, if so, who is responsible for the premature notification to his relatives and for the expense of sending destroyers and seaplanes to scour the North Sea for his body?
§ Major-General SEELYI have ordered a Court of Inquiry into this case. Perhaps my hon. Friend will postpone his question until the finding reaches me.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNWas this machine carrying wireless at the time of the flight?
§ Major-General SEELYThat I do not carry in my mind.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYIn what remote part of France did the boy land?
§ Major-General SEELYI did say in a remote part of France, but I find it is not so remote. As my hon. Friend will remember, he gave me no time to prepare an answer. He did not put his question on the Paper. I gave him all the information I could get. Meantime I had ordered an inquiry, and as soon as I get the result of it I will let him know. It is the case that the boy is alive and well. Unfortunately, a good deal of public money was wasted. I will find out the reason.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYAs a matter of fact did the boy leave the aerodrome at all?
§ Major-General SEELYAs a matter of fact, yes; but he came back to a different one.
§ Mr. MANVILLEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists as to the steps which are being taken by the Air Ministry to ascertain the fate of missing airmen; and whether any steps are being taken to press 755 the German authorities to inquire more thoroughly from their Army medical service for further lists of British wounded?
§ Major-General SEELYI fully sympathise with the anxiety felt upon this matter by relatives and friends of missing airmen and can assure my hon. Friend that every step likely to produce useful results is being taken by the Air Ministry. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to an answer given by the Secretary of State for War to the hon. Member for Stratford on the 30th April.