HC Deb 16 June 1938 vol 337 cc395-7
46. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the offer recently made by Mr. Cordell Hull, on behalf of the United States Government, to join other nations in seeking to humanise by common agreement the rules and practices of warfare; whether he will make a similar offer on behalf of His Majesty's Government; and whether, with such object in view, His Majesty's Government will announce their willingness to forgo the practice of police bombing on the North West Frontier of India and elsewhere?

The Prime Minister

In reply to the first and second parts of the question, His Majesty's Government are aware of the observations by Mr. Cordell Hull referred to and they are always ready to co-operate with other nations in seeking an agreement to humanise the rules and practices of warfare. In reply to the third part, His Majesty's Government would not allow the question of police bombing to stand in the way of concluding such an agreement. I must, however, take this opportunity of emphasising that Royal Air Force bombers are not employed on the North West Frontier or elsewhere for the purpose of attacking the civil population. In independent air operations, bombing is never resorted to unless at least 24 hours' notice is given to enable tribesmen and their families to evacuate the area. Even when bombers are used in close support of troops in action, a similar period of warning is always afforded before the operations begin, in order to enable non-combatants to evacuate the area of operations. These safeguards are expressly laid down in regulations governing the employment of air forces on the Frontier. They are never departed from in any circumstances.

Mr. Henderson

Is it not a fact that official spokesmen in Japan, Spain and other countries are using this practice of police bombing in order to neutralise the moral effect of the protest which His Majesty's Government have made in respect of the bombing of the civil populations in China and in Spain?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir, that is so, and that is the reason why I took pains to say exactly what are the conditions in which bombing may be carried out on the North West Frontier.

Sir P. Harris

Would it not be a splendid gesture to the world to set an example by abandoning this practice, which is not absolutely necessary in order to maintain our defences in India?

The Prime Minister

I do not think that it would be a splendid gesture, but if it were found that this practice, which is in the main humane, were standing in the way of a general agreement to abolish bombing from the air, we would certainly be prepared to abandon it.

Mr. Lansbury

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during a Debate in the Legislative Assembly in India an hon. Member countered very emphatically most of the statements that the right hon. Gentleman has read out here, as to the manner in which bombing is carried on and the effect of carrying it on; and will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House where the people are to go to when they are told to evacuate their homes and villages and whether it is not a fact that the villages, the herds and the whole of the property of the people are destroyed?

The Prime Minister

I have not read the observations to which the right hon. Gentleman refers. I do not think there can be any difficulty in the inhabitants of these places finding refuge. I have read that there are numerous caves in the vicinity—[Interruption]—and they can even go to a safe distance in the open country away from the houses in order to escape the effect of bombing.

Mr. Lansbury

I will supply the right hon. Gentleman with the information on which I based my question.

Mr. Gallacher

What happens if they do not leave the villages?

Mr. Barr

Is the Prime Minister aware that C. F. Andrews, of India, who speaks with great local authority, says, conflicting with what has been announced here today, that in most cases the first notice they get is when the bombing begins on the village?

The Prime Minister

I do not think he would have said that after the statement I have made.

Mr. Macquisten

Is not the purpose of the bombing to give the natives the idea that they are being scolded from Heaven?