asked the Secretary of State for Air what was the largest tonnage of bombs dropped on German territory in one night by the Royal Air Force; and what was the largest tonnage dropped by the Luftwaffe in one night in this country during the late war.

Five thousand, five hundred tons and 1,200 tons, respectively.

Can my hon. Friend give any indication of the casualties caused by these two raids and also will he say, for our benefit and for the benefit of the House in future debates on Civil Defence, whether we can be given some idea of the effectiveness of bombing in the last war?

On the first point, I can give the figures, though they in themselves are no indication of the success or failure of the operations. The attack on Germany was principally on Duisberg and it is estimated that about 2,400 people were killed.

Disgraceful.

In the attack on this country, London was the main target and 1,300 people were killed.

An Hon. Member:

Is that still disgraceful?

On the second point, as to the availability of evidence, there will be published this year a book giving the estimated effect of strategic bombing in the last war.

Do not these figures indicate that we were more effective baby killers than the, Huns?

May I ask if these 1,500 tons were dropped on one city in a single night?

Actually, it was 1,200 tons, and the bombs were dropped principally on London, on 19th April, 1941.