HC Deb 08 May 1939 vol 347 cc25-6
48. Mr. Graham Kerr

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will take steps to diminish the conspicuousness of existing hangars by making full use of the biological principles of camouflage; and whether he will take steps, when advisable, to replace the existing hangars by others constructed in accordance with these principles?

Captain Balfour

My hon Friend may rest assured that very close attention is being given by my Department to the question of camouflage, and the importance of the application of the principles to which he refers is fully realised. Hangars must be built for the main purpose required, but due regard is paid to the camouflage aspect.

Mr. Kerr

May I ask whether the hon. and gallant Member is aware that the conspicuousness of existing hangars demonstrates either a profound ignorance of the scientific principles of camouflage or their deliberate defiance?

Captain Balfour

I do not agree with the hon. Member. I would point out that there are two sorts of camouflage, one which is permanent and the other a form which it would not pay to put in now, but in a comparatively short time before emergency arises.

Viscountess Astor

A committee was set up in December to deal with camouflage. Can the hon. and gallant Member say whether it has a policy or not, as there is grave concern about this matter among those who know most?

Captain Balfour

The committee which has been studying this matter has done good work, but one of the troubles is that there are many diffierent schools of technical thought as to how best to apply camouflage. If the Department adopted one particular school it might well be closing the door to other new forms of development and, therefore, we are pursuing several different lines of investigation.