HC Deb 10 April 1940 vol 359 cc553-4
28. Mr. E. J. Williams

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that a coastguard in a West Coast district had a German submarine under his telescope for 7½ minutes, but that as he could not telephone direct to an aerodrome, which was only two miles away, the submarine submerged before aircraft arrived; and whether, to secure the fullest co-operation between those who are keeping watch on the coasts and the Royal Air Force, he will secure, as far as possible, direct communication between aerodromes and coastguards and other observers?

Sir V. Warrender

My attention has been called to this case and the arrangements by which reports of enemy vessels are made by coastguards are being reviewed.

Mr. Williams

Do I understand from the reply that the telephonic communications in future will be substantially better than they have been in the past?

Sir V. Warrender

So far as this case showed that the present arrangments were not perfect they are being reviewed.