NAVAL PUBLICATIONS, GERMANY.

HC Deb 15 February 1939 vol 343 cc1713-4

53. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that semi-official naval publications in Germany have published specifications of the "King George V" to be launched shortly, although practically no information is available for the British Press and public; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to discovering how this information was made available to these German publications?

Mr. Shakespeare

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the details concerning His Majesty's Ship "King George V" contained in the recent issue of the German handbook to which attention has been drawn in the Press. According to my information, this publication has no official backing, its status being similar to that of the corresponding book published in this country. I may add that certain of the particulars given by the German editor are inaccurate. As regards the second part of the question, the Admiralty will, of course, take such steps as are practicable to ascertain whether any unauthorised leakage of information has occurred.

Mr. Gallacher

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there are no publications in Germany that have not Government backing; and is it not the case that the main details published in these technical journals in Germany are correct, and must come from a source that has inside knowledge? In view of the allegations made about information from the Air Force, is it not necessary that a real inquiry should be made into the source of this information?

Mr. Shakespeare

Even if it be the fact that this is an official publication, I see no reason to take further action, first, because much of the information is inaccurate, and, secondly, because the information contained in this article is not the information which by treaty we are obliged to furnish to Germany.

Mr. Gallacher

If you are not obliged to furnish this information to Germany, who furnished it to Germany? Will not the hon. Gentleman make inquiry as to how it is that Germany gets inside information about aeroplanes?