HC Deb 14 May 1941 vol 371 cc1192-3
13. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give an assurance that instructions have been given to searchlight unit brigadiers and sector controllers in the Royal Air Force, to co-operate to the fullest possible extent in joint practice in defence against night attack and in conference on the problems as they arise and experience gained, and that the appointment of liaison officers for this purpose will be considered.

The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)

My hon. Friend can rest assured that constant attention is given to the problem of cooperation between searchlights and night fighters. With regard to the last part of the Question, arrangements have been made for an exchange of officers between the Services concerned. These officers are being appointed to executive posts, in which their experience can be used to better advantage than if they were employed only on liaison duties.

Mr. Mander

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind, with regard to co-operation between the two sides of the Service, that there appears to be considerable room for improvement in the minds of those who are actively connected with the work, and will he give it his close attention?

Captain Balfour

Certainly.

14. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the advisability of publishing, together with the nightly number of enemy aircraft destroyed, the approximate number of enemy machines taking part in the raid.

Captain Balfour

It would not be in the public interest to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Mr. Mander

Cannot the hon. and gallant Gentleman give some sort of statement on the subject, in view of the fact that the figures lose a great part of their value if nothing is said about the percentage brought down?

Captain Balfour

On the other hand, the hon. Member will appreciate that it is an elementary principle of security that no commander should give a public estimate of the strength of the enemy opposed to him, because it at once gives the enemy an appreciation of the value of your own Intelligence system.

Mr. Mander

Do not the Germans know how many they have sent over?

Captain Balfour

Very likely.

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