41. Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for Air if he can state approximately the total number of airships and aeroplanes possessed by Germany at the time of the Armistice; what portion of these have either been handed over to the Allies or destroyed under their supervision; and whether there is any provision in the Peace Treaty which would prevent Germany retaining part of her military aerial material for ostensibly civil purposes, and thus evading the main purpose of the Treaty?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe answer to the first and second parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is that at the time of the Armistice Germany possessed approximately 16 airships and 18,500 aeroplanes, and that up to the 29th May no airships or aeroplanes had been handed over to the Allies, but 700 aeroplanes and 3,000 aero engines had been destroyed under Allied supervision. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that Germany was under no obligation to destroy aircraft material until the ratification of the Peace Treaty. For various and sufficient reasons—the state of confusion owing to the revolution, etc.—the actual work of destruction was not commenced until the 3rd May. The progress since that date has, I think, been satisfactory. With regard to the third part, Article 202 of the Peace Treaty provides that all aeronautical material which had been used or designed for warlike purposes shall be delivered to the Allies.
Sir F. HALLDoes my right hon. Friend think that the obligations in the 1057 Treaty are being satisfactorily carried out with regard to the destruction of these aircraft? Does he recognise the great necessity, at all events to this country, to see that Germany is deprived of both aeroplanes and airships?
§ Mr. PEMBERTON BILLINGIs it not a fact that the Germans are manufacturing more aeroplanes than they have destroyed since the War; that they are manufacturing three aeroplanes to every one that is being built in this country?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLMy information is exactly the opposite. My information is that 60 aeroplanes have been manufactured by the Germans during the same period that we have manufactured 300—on a comparable basis. It is very difficult for me to answer the question of the right hon. Gentleman, for he wants me to give him an assurance, and it is not my duty to do so. Marshal Foch and the Inter-Allied Commission are the responsible authority for the disarmament of Germany. With all that that reserve implies, I should say that I believe that the process is being carried out—I would not say punctually, I would not say willingly—but it is being carried out without undue obstruction, and will be fully completed.
Sir F. HALLWill the right hon. Gentleman be kind enough to communicate with the Inter-Allied Commission on the other side, and impress upon them the great necessity that steps should be taken to deprive the Germans of their aircraft as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, I will.
§ Mr. SPEAKERQuestion No. 42! [See Cols. 1076–1077.]