HC Deb 19 June 1940 vol 362 cc164-5
50. Mr. Stokes

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the fact that the names of controllers of all departments have been published, he will give his reasons for not publishing the names of the chief scientific men employed in his Ministry, together with the names of their departments?

Mr. H. Morrison

As I informed my hon. Friend on 12th June, the detailed information for which he asks could not be published without giving an indication of the lines of the war-time research programme, but I am prepared to give him the information privately.

Mr. Stokes

Will the Minister consider how impossible it is for people to be able to appreciate with whom they should communicate on these points if they do not even know the people responsible for the various Departments concerned? There is nothing private about this.

Mr. Morrison

Anybody knows that he can communicate with the Ministry of Supply, and the communication will be passed on. I must remind the hon. Member that the Question he asked me was a highly indiscreet one, in which he wanted information that would give the enemy knowledge of the general lines of our research. This research is exceedingly secret, and I, at any rate, must exercise a proper sense of responsibility.

Mr. Stokes

Will the Minister realise that I have no desire to ask for information that would give help to the enemy? Quite the contrary. What is desired is that the names should be known so that people would know that the departments are being managed by the most competent persons.

Mr. Morrison

Certainly, I would not accuse the hon. Member of any such desire. I was only giving him advice.