§ 44. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary for State for Air how many officers and airmen, respectively, of the Royal Air Force have refused duty or been guilty of other acts of insubordination during the last 12 months as a result of supposed Communist propaganda and incitement; and whether he has traced any weakening of the discipline of His Majesty's Royal Air Force as the direct, or indirect, result of such alleged incitement and propaganda?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)As regards the first part of the question, it is impossible to trace all the motive causes which may have contributed to any particular act of insubordination, and the answer to the second part is, therefore, in the negative.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has noticed any increase of acts of insubordination from any cause at all in the Royal Air Force?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir; I have not.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYThen why does the right hon. Gentleman not admit that this propaganda has had no effect whatsoever?
§ Sir S. HOAREFor the reason I have given—that in any case of insubordination it is impossible to assign exactly the motives that have caused it.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not due to the honour of the Royal Air Force to say that there has been no weakening of discipline owing to this propaganda?
§ Sir S. HOAREI cannot add anything further to my answer. I have given the 2192 hon. and gallant Member an answer to his question, and have nothing to add.