HC Deb 09 March 1938 vol 332 cc1884-5
43. Mr. Day

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the result of the inquiries that have been made relative to the actions of sabotage to bombing aeroplanes in the course of construction at the Ringway Aerodrome, Manchester; and what special police have now been put on to protect all Royal Air Force aircraft in the course of construction?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

It would not be in the public interest to state the result of the inquiries which have been made to date. As regards the second part of the question, the employment of special police is not considered to be necessary.

Mr. Day

Have any fresh acts of sabotage been discovered since the announcement was made in this House?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

Not so far as I am aware.

Mr. Burke

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether, with regard to the Ringway Aerodrome, the machines left the factory in a perfect condition?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

I cannot go into details of which I have no particular knowledge. I think they were still on factory premises, but I cannot be actually certain of that.

Mr. Burke

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that they were not on factory premises but were in a public aerodrome, and can he say whether or not the sabotage took place in the factory or in the aerodrome?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that the organised workpeople of this country deprecate action of this kind; and will he take strong action to deal with the people responsible, as there are certain organisations in this country which have for their object the creation of suspicion and provocation in order to provide excuses for dealing with organised workpeople?

Mr. Shinwell

Are we to understand from the previous answer of the hon. and gallant Gentleman that he is unaware of the locus of the act of sabotage—whether it took place at the aerodrome or the factory?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

If further details are required, perhaps the hon. Member will put his question down.

Mr. Shinwell

I ask not for details, but where the act of sabotage took place, and is that not within the knowledge of the hon. and gallant Gentleman?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

I prefer to refresh my memory on that.