§ 16. Sir CYRIL COBBasked the Secretary of State for Air if he will consider the advisability of publishing a Return of the Air Forces of all Nations on the lines of the publication entitled Fleets (the British Empire and Foreign Countries) [Cmd. 2590], with a view to showing the real strengths of the Air Forces of the world, and particularly the numbers of up-to-date machines which are in existence?
§ Sir S. HOARESo far as I am aware there are insufficient official sources from which detailed information relating to air forces comparable to that contained in the Command Paper relating to fleets could be compiled. The statistics which are available are included in the Armaments Year Book issued by the League of Nations, of which my hon. Friend is no doubt aware.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of publishing a return of the civil air force, showing how we stand in relation to the other nations of Europe?
§ Sir S. HOAREI shall be prepared to consider that question, but the same difficulties will arise as in the case of military machines.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWould not that be giving information to the enemy?
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYIs it not the case that the German Government do publish this information?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir; the German Government cannot publish information with reference to military machines which the German Government do not possess.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODAre we to interfere with the internal affairs of Germany?
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYDoes the same answer apply to civil machines?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir. I suppose the German Government have a list of military machines, but the question relates to civil machines. If the hon. Member wants to ask a question about civil machines, he should put it down.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENAre not the German civil machines capable of being turned into military machines?