HC Deb 11 June 1941 vol 372 cc170-1
9. Sir Leonard Lyle

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the broadcast of Air-Commodore A. V. Goddard, on 22nd May, to the effect that air-borne forces will not capture Crete, and the invasion is a measure of Nazi frustration; and whether such an assertion was made with the approval of the Air Staff?

Sir A. Sinclair

This officer was expressing his own views and not those of the Air Staff.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is desirable occasionally for independent as well as officially inspired commentaries to be made on the war situation?

Sir A. Sinclair

I think the hon. Member would agree that independent commentaries are not a matter for me but are rather for the Ministry of Information to arrange. We have done our best to assist the Ministry of Information. This officer undertook this duty voluntarily, as a public service, in addition to his ordinary work.

Mr. Shinwell

Will these views be conveyed to the Prime Minister, in view of what he said in his speech yesterday?

Sir A. Sinclair

Which views?

Mr. Shinwell

The views about commentaries of this kind by Air-Commodore Goddard being expressed which are not related to all the facts. Is it not desirable to have independent and not always officially inspired commentaries?

Sir A. Sinclair

Yes, Sir. I will certainly see that the Prime Minister is informed.

Sir Herbert Williams

Does not my right hon. Friend think it very undesirable, on balance, for serving officers to make speeches on the wireless?

Mr. George Griffiths

Should it not be definitely stated, when these gentlemen are making speeches, that the speeches are independent and are not Government speeches, because all such speeches have, in the past, been thought to be Government statements?

Sir A. Sinclair

Surely the reverse should be the understanding, that speeches on the wireless are supposed to be delivered independently. It is a mistake to think that they are delivered on behalf of the Government.

Mr. Buchanan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the great mass of the people thought that this gentleman was speaking for the Air Council or for a larger body, and will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to see that it is made clear beyond doubt that the man was expressing only his personal opinion?

Sir A. Sinclair

In view of yesterday's Debate and of the Questions which have been put this morning, it will be made abundantly clear that these are independent statements.