61. Colonel LOWTHERasked the Prime Minister whether the stipulated number of war planes have been surrendered by Germany to the Allies; how many of these have been destroyed before delivery; and whether it would serve the Allied cause best if many of these war planes were to be sent to some Allied zone from which they could be used for purposes of offence against belligerents with whom we have declared war since the Armistice?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIn accordance with the provisions of the Peace Treaty all aeronautical material used or designed for warlike purposes is to be surrendered to the Allies. Up to 19th June, 1920, 19 aeroplanes had been handed over to the Allies and 2,846 aeroplanes had been destroyed under Allied supervision. Owing to the disadvantage of increasing the variety of types employed and the difficulty of providing for the supply of spares, I am afraid the suggestion contained in the third part of the question is not practicable.
§ Major-General SEELYHow many aeroplanes are left? The right hon. Gentleman has told us how many have 635 been surrendered and how many destroyed. How many are there which ought to have been surrendered?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI could not answer that without notice. My right hon. and gallant Friend knows that the question of disarmament is one of the main topics for discussion at Spa.
Colonel LOWTHERWould not planes used in the Great War be of great service in the guerrilla warfare in which we are now engaged?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think we have a large number of aeroplanes of our own which were used in the War.
§ Lieut.- Commander KENWORTHYSurely we are not going to destroy this war material in view of our many commitments in various parts of the world?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs it not a fact that all the hangars in this country are already filled with our own planes?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYSend them to Russia.