19 FEBRUARY 1916, Page 2

In the House of Commons on Wednesday the much. talked - cif

eeir tiebete took place. The Government anal:Nutted -9F.bUkill the mouths of Mr. Balfour, Mr. Tennant, and Mr. Samuel that the defence of London against air raids was transferred from the control of the Admiralty to that of the War Office. Speaking generally, the Army- will be responsible for dealing with these raids when over the land, and the Navy, for their earlier phases over the sea. In a word, they will be' dealt with as would an " old style " invasion or raid, were it to take place. Further, the Government informed the House that a joint Naval and Military Committee was being formed to co-ordinate the production of the things needed for aerial warfare—aeroplanes, airships,.anti-aircraft guns, and other defences. Of minor importance was the announcement that the Orders restricting lighting had been extended to nearly the whole • of England, and that a system for warning threatened: towns of approaching raids had been devised.