§ 17. Lord APSLEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been drawn to certain photographs, recently published, depicting battle scenes between aircraft, taken by an officer of the Royal Air Force who fell in aerial combat during the War; will he state whether these photographs were taken with the knowledge and consent of the said officer's squadron and flight commanders; and whether, seeing that the taking of such private photographs on active service is a breach of the King's Regulations, any disciplinary action has been taken?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second and third parts, the Air Ministry has not to date been informed of the identity of the officers concerned, but I may say that in any event my Noble Friend does not consider any disciplinary action would be called for in the case of a breach or breaches of the regulations of this character committed some 15 years ago.
§ Lord APSLEYDoes my hon. Friend think that the photographs are genuine?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI would not like to say that. We do not know the identity of the officer.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSHave any one of the Service charities received their usual provision after the photographs were taken?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI require notice of that question.
§ Lord APSLEYIs it not a fact that there were only two squadrons in which these photographs could have been taken? It should not be difficult therefore, to find out.
§ Sir P. SASSOONWe have not been able to find out yet.