§ 13. Mr. Henry Straussasked the Secretary of State for Air why his Department issued for publication a statement that the bomb which hit the Munich beer cellar in which Hitler was expected to be speaking had overshot its target, in view of the fact that such a statement reflected unjustly on the skill of airmen who, in fact, had performed their allotted task with admirable efficiency?
Captain BalfourThe statement referred to by my hon. Friend did not form part of any bulletin issued officially by my Department. If in any quarter such a statement was made, I feel my hon. Friend is unduly apprehensive of the interpretation likely to be placed upon it.
§ Mr. StraussDoes my hon. and gallant Friend seriously suggest that this statement circulated by a news agency and appearing in most newspapers in identical form and often in inverted commas, did not proceed from his Department? Ought not his Department to make up their minds whether this exploit was a triumph or a mistake, instead of making the worst of both worlds by claiming it as both.
Captain BalfourAs regards the second part of the hon. Member's Supplementary Question, I think it would be wrong for security reasons to discuss details of operations. This, I am sure, my hon. Friend will appreciate. As regards the first part of his Supplementary Question this statement was not issued officially by my Department in any bulletin. I will make inquiries as to whether it was issued unofficially.