HC Deb 05 April 1922 vol 152 cc2212-3
5. Rear-Admiral SUETER

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has any information that a 4,000 lb. bomb has been dropped quite successfully from the air in America?

Mr. AMERY

According to the American Press a bomb of 4,300 lb., carrying about 2,000 lb. T.N.T., has been dropped on land by an army aeroplane. This is the only instance of which the Admiralty have any information.

Lieut.-Colonel MOORE-BRABAZON

Can we have some experiments on this side with regard to bomb dropping? Can we have the Hood for 10 minutes against the Air Force?

Captain Viscount CURZON

Is there a single aeroplane in any Navy in the world operating from an air craft carrier which is capable of carrying bombs of such a size?

Mr. AMERY

I believe not.

6 and 7. Rear-Admiral SUETER

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) whether the new designs for the post-Jutland battleships, as contemplated to be built in 1923, can resist a 4,000-lb. bomb when dropped from the air within 30 feet of the ship if fitted with a delay-action fuse for detonating the explosive charge when at about 20 feet under water;

(2) whether any experiments have been carried out in this country to determine the effect of the water projectile thrown up by a 2,000-lb., 3,000-lb., or 4,000-lb. bomb dropped from the air to strike the water at various distances from a target representing the under-water portion of a post-Jutland battleship provided with an external bulge or other devices for lessening the explosive effect of a locomotive torpedo or bomb dropped from the air?

Mr. AMERY

It is not in the public interest to give information with regard to experiments which have been, and are still being, carried out, but the Admiralty consider that satisfactory protection can be provided in the new ships against the attack suggested in these two questions.