§ 48. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Prime Minister whether the Committee of Imperial Defence, in pursuance of combined action between the three fighting Services, have formed any conclusion that airships will be largely used for naval reconnaissance, as put forward in all the suggestions as to their utility; whether all previous airships have been built under the supervision of the Admiralty; and whether the Admiralty have been fully consulted as to the designs of the two airships?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. The answer to the third part is also in the negative, the aim of the Air Ministry being to produce airships to meet the requirements of all three Services, e.g., as aircraft carriers and for the conveyance of troops, as well as for naval purposes. I may add that responsibility for the design and construction of airships was transferred from the Admiralty to the Air Ministry in 1919/20, together with a portion of the staff hitherto employed on this work by the Admiralty.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWith reference to the second part of my question, as to whether all previous airships have been built under the supervision of the Admiralty, may I ask the Prime Minister if he can tell me of any airship that has not been built under the supervision of the Admiralty?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROh, yes; all the airships that were built by the Army.
§ Commander BELLAIRSAm I to understand, therefore, that the Air Department has no experience in building airships, and that the Department which has experience is not to be consulted?