HC Deb 30 April 1940 vol 360 c532
39. Mr. R. Gibson

asked the Secretary of State for War whether provision has been made in reception areas in Scotland for the protection of evacuees by means of anti-aircraft guns against attacks by enemy aircraft; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

Mr. Stanley

Reception areas derive protection from the defensive measures provided for the country as a whole.

Mr. Gibson

Is the Minister not keeping in view the fact that when an aggressor runs amok he is more likely to steer clear of places where there are anti-aircraft guns and machine-gun women and children in country towns and villages? Will he keep that in mind?

Mr. Stanley

The scale of ground defence against air attack is largely a matter for the Air Ministry in co-operation with the War Office. As I have said we must take the situation of the country as a whole, and any particular area share in the general defensive measures which are provided.