HC Deb 08 February 1939 vol 343 cc929-30
32. Mr. Garro Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is prepared to send to the Soviet Union an air mission for exchange of information and general collaboration?

Sir K. Wood

I am satisfied that requirements are at present adequately met by the Air Attaché accredited to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Mr. Garro Jones

Has the right hon. Gentleman any objection to the sending of an air mission to Russia?

Sir K. Wood

I think this arrangement is sufficient at present.

Mr. Garro Jones

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the collaboration with the Soviet Union Air Force and the amount of information which each Air Force has of the other is sufficient in present circumstances?

Sir K. Wood

I am not quite clear what the hon. Gentleman means by "collaboration."

Mr. Garro Jones

Having regard at any rate to the fact that when the right hon. Gentleman is asked to give any information about the state of the Air Force in the Soviet Union and the collaboration of the British Air Force with the Soviet Air Force he is never able to give any information, why does he object to sending an air mission to that country?

Sir K. Wood

I think I am in a position to obtain as much information through an Air Attaché as through an air mission.

Mr. J. Morgan

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the information he is receiving indicates a satisfactory state of affairs in Russia in this respect?

Sir K. Wood

I would not like to speak of the Air Force in that country.

Mr. Mander

In view of the fact that last September the Government were prepared to take joint action with Russia and France, is it not desirable that the best information should be available to both parties in case such joint action were necessary?

Mr. Garro Jones

May I ask whom the right hon. Gentleman is afraid of offending?