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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 2002.PDF
^6 FLIGHT SEPTEMBER 24TH, 1942 IN PARLIAMENT No "Leakage" Before Dieppe : Enquiry Into Sunderland Tragedy : Suspension of Daily Express Advocated : Abolition of Aerial Warfare After Axis Overthrow Dieppe Raid Mr. Put brick asked the Prime Minis ter whether he has any statement to make in respect of the enemy having anticipatory information of the teceal raifl on Dieppe; and what steps he is takiilg to prevent such leakage of infor mation in future? The Deputy Prime Minister (M>. Attlee): My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is quite satisfied that there was no leakage to the enemy of prior in formation about the Dieppe raid. The second part of the Question does not arise. Anti-aircraft Measures Sir L. Lyle asked, the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the increased number ol daylight attacks on this country bv low-flying German air craft, lie will arrange for a greater pro portion ot Lewis and Bren guns with high-angle mountings to be provided on the fop of suitable buildings on the South Coast and other vulnerable areas. .Sic A. Sinclair : All available weapons are disposed to the best tactical ad vantage with the object of defeating the attacks. Sunderland Accident Sir R. (Hvn asked the Secretary of State for Aii whether the Air Ministry- have ordered a court of enquiry into the accident to the Sunderland aircraft con- \ eving His late Royal Highness the Duke oi Kent, on passage to Iceland; and whether, in view of all the circum stances, the composition of the crew, the weather conditions and time of day, he will undertake to publish the findings and thus allay public anxiety on the grounds that proper care was not exercised. Sir A. Sinclair : A court of euquiry is investigating the causes of the accident. I propose to make a further statement when its report has been received and considered. Qualified Dispensers Miss Ward asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the lack of sufficient qualified pharmacists serving as such with the Royal Air Force, whether they be mem bers of the Royal Air Force or the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, is causing, disquiet; that this has been increased by the recent case in which a member of the Women's Auxiliary Force died as a result ot being poisoned by being given caustic soda instead of liquid paraffin; and what steps he is taking to remedy this scarcity Sir A. Sinclair : There is no shortage ol qualified dispensers in the R.A.F. to fill established posts and I am not aware of any disquiet of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend. The lamentable event referred to in the question was not due to any lack of trained men or women.' Miss Ward : Has my right hon. Friend had any representations from profes sional advisers? Sir A. Sinclair : No, Sir. Miss Ward . Would he consider any representations that might be made by those who are qualified? Sir A. Sinclair : Yes, Sir. Loss of H.M.S. "Eagle" Sr> Waldron Smithers asked the Minis ter of Information the name of the newspaper which did not comply with the Government's request and announced the sinking of H.M.S. Eagle; and what action he proposes to take? Mr. Lewis asked the Minister of In formation the name of the newspaper which ignored the request of the Ad- iniialty to withhold publication of the loss ot H.M.S. Eagle, pending the receipt of information as to survivors; and if he will consider suspending the publication of this paper for one day to mark the widespread public resentment at its proprietors' disregard for the feel ings of relatives of the ship's company? Mr. Bracken: The name of the news paper concerned was the Daily Express. I have no power to suspend the publica tion of a newspaper. Sir W. Smithers: Can the Minister stop this '' getting away from Govern ment requirements " in future by sup pressing this paper for a month? That would stop all these leakages. Mr. Bracken: The Ministry of Infor mation is concerned with expression, not suppression. Mr. Shinwell: Could my right hon. Friend have a word with his friend Lord Beaverbrook ? Mr. Gallacher: Will the Minister ad vise the Daily Express and other national papers to study the columns of the Daily Worker? Aircraft Production Mr. J. Dugdale asked the Minister of Aircraft Production how many plants producing aero-engines have been com pelled to effect changes in their manage ments on account of an inadequate standard of efficiency; how many plants have been put under Government con trollers for the same reason ; and whether he is satisfied that no further steps can be taken to bring up the level of the least efficient plants to that of the most efficient ? Colonel Llewellin : The answer to the first two parts ot the Question is " None, Sir." As regards the last part, it is my constant endeavour to increase the efficiency of factories engaged on air- ciatt production, and I have in several instances recently persuaded firms to strengthen their managements. Aerial Warfare Propaganda Mr. Sorensen asked the Minister of Information whether he has utilised the number of civilian casualties caused by air raids in this country, in Spain, in the Axis invasion of European countries and in Germany and Italy, and other facts respecting the full effect of devastation, the indiscriminate nature of aerial war fare, the responsibility for its continu ance and the cumulative menace to European civilisation, to impress on Ger man, Italian and other peoples of Europe the imperative necessity of abolishing or restricting aerial warfare through an international authority; and whether he will emphasise to the German and Italian peoples that the overthrow of their Governments will also secure the abolition of aerial warfare? Mr. Bracken: We tiave done every thing in our power to make know<q^o the. peoples ruled by the Axis GovetF ments the full extent of the suffering those Governments have brought upon the worid; and our efforts have been powerfully reinforced by the operations of the Bomber Command of the Royal Air Force. Mr. Sorensen: Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that if we continue the good work of impressing upon the people of Europe that at the end of the war aerial warfare-will be abolished it will make a gTeat appeal to common folk both in the Axis countries and else where? Mr. Bracken: The Air Chief Marshal and I are working on joint account in bringing these lessons home. Current Affairs Mr. J. Dugdale asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will set up an organisation for the Royal Air Force of a similar kind to the Army Bureau of Current Affairs. Sir A. Sinclair : A scheme of regular weekly lectures on current affairs was introduced into the Royal Air Force in October, 1941. In addition, the pamphlets prepared by the Arrrey Bureau of Current Affairs are distributed to all Royal Air Force stations, where in many cases they form the basis of discussion by regular discussion groups. It is pro posed in the coming winter to extend the existing arrangements by organising regular discussion groups at all Roya Air Force stations. Since the An Bureau of Current Affairs is able to cater in this way for the "needs of the Royal Air Force, it is unnecessary to establish a separate organisation. Defective Runways Captain York asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that owing to faulty construction the ranways of airfields, the names of which he has been given, have become unuse- able; that several aircraft have been smashed up on landing because of the concrete being badly mixed; what was the name of the contractor employed on these airfields; and if this contractor has been given any further contracts by his Department? Sir A. Sinclair: Following the very- severe frosts of January and February last, defects developed in the runways in question. Some damage to aircraft has in.consequence occurred, although no air craft has been written off. The question how far, if at all, the contractor is liable is being investigated, and meanwhile 1 do not feel justified in giving the name ol the firm or in any way prejudging the issue.
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