HC Deb 16 June 1925 vol 185 c260
14. Viscount SANDON

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on the Government policy as to a nucleus being trained and retained for operating artillery observation balloons; and whether these could be put into the field immediately on the outbreak of war?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Captain Douglas King)

It is not anticipated that balloon units would be required in the opening phases of a war, but they might become necessary as the war progresses. With a view to the development of the art of ballooning and in order to provide a nucleus for expansion after the outbreak of a war, a school of ballooning is being maintained by the Air Ministry.