§ Mr. HUME - WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for War whether a dirigible balloon has recently been ordered from Germany; if so, what, if any, steps were taken before doing so to obtain one in England; were any, and what, English firms approached with reference to the matter, and with what result; if there are no English firms capable of supplying a dirigible balloon, is it the intention of the War Office to manufacture them; and, if no, when will the necessary experts be engaged and the work begun?
§ Colonel SEELYNo dirigible balloon has been, or is about to be, ordered in Germany by the War Office. Dirigible balloons are now being manufactured at the Royal Aircraft Factory under the supervision of the experts there employed.