§ 15. Mr. Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for Air whether there is held to be any reason why we should not bomb Rome, as the Italians are now bombing London?
Captain BalfourI would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 7th November by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Sir S. Reed).
§ Mr. WedgwoodSince that date the Italians have been bombing London. Is it not about time that we bombed Rome?
Captain BalfourThe answer to which I referred said that His Majesty's Government had taken note of the Italian statement that Italian men and aircraft had participated in the bombing of London, and that we must accordingly reserve full liberty of action in regard to Rome. Since that time, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, the Italian Government must have become aware that endeavours to approach the British coasts are likely to cause very heavy casualties to their air force.
§ Mr. ShinwellMight we beg the Government not to be squeamish on a matter of this sort? Attack should be the order of the day.
Captain BalfourIt would be thoroughly wrong to give away to the enemy our strategic plans for bombing enemy objectives, and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman, on reflection, will agree that it would not be in the interests of those who are to carry out the bombing that we should give such plans away.
§ Mr. ShinwellWe are not asking for any strategic plans; we are asking for results.
Captain BalfourIt is scarcely fair on the Royal Air Force for the hon. Member to infer that he cannot see results every day in the communiqués we are giving.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman not understand that not a single hon. Member would desire to make any reflection on the gallantry of the Royal Air Force?
§ Mr. WedgwoodCould I have an answer to my Question?
§ Mr. Speakerrose—