HC Deb 31 May 1938 vol 336 cc1813-4
31. Miss Ward

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the First London Anti-Aircraft Division is up to strength with regard to guns and searchlights in the event of immediate mobilisation?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave last week on this subject.

Miss Ward

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the reply is not a reply to the question on the Order Paper?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I answered the question fully last week, and if my hon. Friend will look at my answer she will see that it covers both points.

Mr. Thurtle

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether we have an ample supply of 3.7 anti-aircraft guns?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

We have not a full supply of many requisite munitions, and is it the purpose of the rearmament policy of the Government that they may be supplied, but the quantity that we have received is in excess of any statement or estimate that I have seen, and it is in excess also of the forecasts of delivery.

Miss Ward

Would it not be a wise policy to deny the statement relating to guns that was issued, apparently reputably, after the dinner at which the right hon. Gentleman was present?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I think that my hon. Friend is mistaken. No statement was issued. If my hon. Friend is referring to a dinner which was held by one of our hon. Friends downstairs, at which I made a few moments' appearance, no statements were made either by me or anybody else. I very much deplore these constant statements that are made about our anti-aircraft position, because they generally make out our position to be worse than it is, and bring great discouragement to Territorials who are joining the Army in large numbers and for whom we are doing our very best.

Miss Ward

It did appear in the Press, and would it not be a good thing to repudiate it?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I have done so.

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