Attacks on Germany (Results)

Oral Answers to Questions — Royal Air Force – in the House of Commons at on 30 September 1942.

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Photo of Sir James Henderson-Stewart Sir James Henderson-Stewart , Fife Eastern

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the inquiry recently announced into the comparative cost, effectiveness and value of night raids and daylight attacks, respectively, by the Royal Air Force upon Germany has been completed; and if he can give the House some indication of the results of both types of attacks?

Photo of Sir Archibald Sinclair Sir Archibald Sinclair , Caithness and Sutherland

The results of all air operations are closely and continuously examined in my Department, but there has been no specific inquiry of the nature referred to by my hon. Friend in the first part of the Question, nor has there been any authoritative announcement to the effect that there has been such an inquiry. All the information which can be given about both day and night attacks without disclosing useful information to the enemy has been promptly published.

Mr. Stewart:

Does not my right hon. Friend recall that about three weeks ago an announcement appeared in the weekend Press to the effect stated in the first part of my Question? It is to that official announcement that I was referring.

Photo of Sir Archibald Sinclair Sir Archibald Sinclair , Caithness and Sutherland

I do not think that any announcement appeared. There was a report of an interview which might have given my hon. Friend this impression, but I have told him the fact that these matters are under constant study and examination, and there is no specific inquiry needed.

Mr. Stewart:

Will my right hon. Friend take care that his publicity department do not issue announcements such as that to which I have referred?

Photo of Sir Archibald Sinclair Sir Archibald Sinclair , Caithness and Sutherland

I think that all my hon. Friends have had the experience of reading announcements and speeches which sometimes have been misinterpreted.

Photo of Captain Sir Peter Macdonald Captain Sir Peter Macdonald , Isle of Wight

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make arrangements for Members to have an opportunity of seeing aerial photographs of the effect of bomb damage on targets in Germany?

Photo of Sir Archibald Sinclair Sir Archibald Sinclair , Caithness and Sutherland

If it is the wish of the hon. and gallant Member and other Members, I will certainly consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works and Planning, with a view to securing the consent o. Mr. Speaker to showing a collection of such photographs in the near future in one of the Committee Rooms.

Photo of Mr Reginald Purbrick Mr Reginald Purbrick , Liverpool, Walton

May we also have some photographs at the same time of Gien?