In the Air

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 44, 26 May 1916, Page 5

In the Air

BRITISH AIR SERVICE. A MARVELLOUS ACHIEVEMENT. [Unitbd Pbisi Amooiathw > London, May 24. Tn the House of Lords the air debate was continued. Lord Galway said it was hard to think that after twenty-one months of war it was necessary to inquire what the Government's air policy was. They did not yet possess Mr Churchill's promised air ileet. Lord Haldane said our weakness in air ships was due to the Admiralty's failure to accommodate itself to tho new conditions.

Lord Curzon said tho nation had every reason to be proud of the air service, which was a marvellous achievement accomplished since, the war, and second to none in enterprise. There was no fear of comparisons with the Germans. Our men at the front were showing their mastery of the air in daily combats. Britain was now better defended against air raids, and the invaders were more and more chary, though they might be contemplating something bigger than ever. The new Air Board would be especially concerned in applying science to air problems. There was much to be done in co-ordinating and organising material and the supply of machines. The Board would consist of himself, Admirals Tudor, Vaughan and Lee, Genejrals Henderson and Blanker, Major Baird, and Lord Sydenham. Lord 'Curzon agreed that a single depart-

merit under a Minister with wide powers was the best solution, but the present was not an opportune time, .as there was not sufficient agreement at the War Office and the Admiralty. Such an attempt would mean dislocation and friction ; but complete uni-

fication would come in time, as conscription had come, by general agreement and with the support of the two services and their Ministers. It would lie the Board's duty to report thereupon when the time was ripe, and, in the- meantime, endavour to prevent rivalry overlapping the services. The Hoard was already examining the questions of long range offensives, anti-raid defences, the development of airships and aeroplanes of great variety, questions of equipment, inventions, training facilities, and national factories. The debate lapsed.