HC Deb 19 May 1919 vol 116 cc163-4

Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now Adjourn."— [Mr pratt.]

Captain ELLIOT

I should like to call the attention of this House to a matter which is, I think, if not of great public importance, at any rate of great public interest. I should like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Shipping, failing the presence of any other Government Minister on the Front Bench, if he has by this time received any information whatever as to the progress of Mr. Hawker in his very gallant attempt to uphold the supremacy of this country?

Colonel WILSON

When my hon. and gallant Friend raised this question a short time ago, I took what steps I could to ascertain whether there was any information available which I could give. I-am informed that there is no such information, and that the Government has no information on this subject whatever. I am only sorry I am not in a position to say whether Mr. Hawker has arrived.

Captain ELLIOT

May I express my very deep disappointment, and may I, speaking to some extent, I think, in the name of the people of this country, put forward the most unsparing condemnation of the Government for its action in this matter? I think that the House in general, and certainly I am sure the country, feels that the Government has been lamentably remiss and desperately careless of the honour of this country and of the life of a very gallant gentleman.

Mr. PRATT (Lord of the Treasury)

I cannot allow what the hon. and gallant Gentleman has said to go without reply. I cannot see in what way he holds the Government responsible for the circumstances to which he has called attention. I can only promise this, that what he has said will be brought to the attention of the Government at the earliest possible moment.

Captain WEDGWOOD BENN

As the Lord of the Treasury has seen fit to intervene in the Debate, perhaps someone on the Government Bench will tell us what steps the Government took to aid Mr. Hawker, by reports or otherwise, across the Atlantic, or whether warnings were issued or incitement made to get this race run. The hon. and gallant Member (Captain Elliot), I am sure, voiced the feelings of everyone in this country of high admiration for the splendid spirit displayed by this gallant airman, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman, who naturally defends the Government, being there for that purpose, will explain what steps the Government has taken to assist in this enterprise.

Question put, and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-one minutes after Nine o'clock.