HC Deb 03 December 1941 vol 376 cc1113-4
15. Mr. Ammon

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement concerning the loss of a motor car at Notting Hill, which contained important confidential specifications for the Air Ministry; and what steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence of such carelessness?

Captain Balfour

I am advised that the specifications to which the hon. Member refers are not secret or confidential, and are well known in the paint trade; they were lost by an employee of a firm of paint manufacturers when his car was stolen. The attention of the firm is, how ever, being drawn to the undesirability of leaving any official papers of this type unattended in private motor-cars.

Mr. Ammon

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that only a short time ago he gave a very similar answer in respect of a very similar happening, namely, that papers had been left by someone who was a member of a private firm?

Captain Balfour

I said that the papers in this case were not in any way confidential, but that nevertheless we are drawing the firm's attention to the un desirability of leaving any papers in un attended cars.

Mr. Ammon

I hope that my right hon. and gallant Friend is not seeking any merit from the fact that the papers were not confidential?