HC Deb 01 July 1941 vol 372 cc1209-10
42. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Russo-German struggle and the need for rendering every assistance to Soviet Russia within our power, steps will be taken to utilise all available aircraft in continued bombing attacks on Germany?

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Cary) on 8th October last, of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. Shinwell

I expected an answer of that kind, but can we be assured that action will be forceful, continuous, and even ruthless, and that everything will be done to deliver deadly blows against the enemy in the present situation? Ought we not to take advantage of the present situation to join issue with the enemy all along the line?

Mr. Attlee

I am not prepared to add anything to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 8th October. That answer amounts to this, that it is not advisable that the Government should announce publicly its tactics for its future conduct of the war.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that I am not asking him to furnish any details? I do not want him to give a meticulous indication of what the Government intend to do. May I ask him to realise that all I am asking for is an assurance that we are going to take advantage of the present situation and are not going to allow the grass to grow under our feet?

Mr. Attlee

I can assure the hon. Member that we shall not allow the grass to grow under our feet.

Mr. Granville

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration that every bomb on a German industrial or military target now will be worth 10 in a few weeks time?

Mr. Austin Hopkinson

Can any useful purpose be served by asking silly Questions like this?