§ 68. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Air Ministry has any records of public statements by the heads of the Italian and German Governments as to the number of air pilots, trained or training, in their respective countries; and, if so, whether he will give the House this information?
§ Sir K. WoodSignor Mussolini is reported to have stated on 30th March that Italy was in a position to mass 20,000 to 30,000 pilots; and Herr Hitler is reported as having stated on 20th February that the National Socialist Flying Corps counted 3,000,000 members, of whom 50,000 were active.
§ Mr. Garro JonesDoes the right hon. Gentleman regard that as authoritative information and, if so, why did he give me a negative answer a few weeks ago when I asked him whether he had any authoritative information as to the number of pilots trained in those two countries?
§ Sir K. WoodThese are statements which appeared in the Press.
§ Mr. Garro JonesIs it a measure of the efficiency of the intelligence service of the Air Ministry if they take no cognisance of those statements?
§ Sir K. WoodThe hon. Member is asking me whether I have any record of public statements, and I have given him some.
§ Mr. Garro JonesWhy did the right hon. Gentleman give me a negative answer when I asked whether he had any authoritative information on this important subject, some three weeks ago?
§ Sir K. WoodThese are Press statements which I am giving to the hon. Gentleman.