§ 45. Commander Sir Archibald Southbyasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the atrocities being committed against the civilian population by Italian punitive expeditions into Montenegro; and why military objectives in Rome have not been bombed as a reprisal?
§ 49. Sir T. Mooreasked the Prime Minister whether there is any technical political or other objection to the bombing of Rome by our Air Forces?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill)While I have no information of any particularly brutal Italian atrocities in Montenegro—I mean nothing out of the ordinary compared with their usual behaviour—I have recently made it clear that retribution for crimes of such a nature must henceforward take its place amongst the major purposes of the war. As regards the bombing of Rome, I have nothing to add to the statement in my speech in this House on 30th September.
§ Sir A. SouthbyWill my right hon. Friend say why Rome has not been bombed; is he aware of the propaganda now being carried on in this country with the object of abolishing night bombing; and will he consider the significance of this agitation arising, just at the. moment that our position of being able to bomb our enemy objectives is getting better and better?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not see what the last part has to do with the Question on the Paper, which is fully covered by my Answer.
§ Sir T. MooreDoes my right hon. Friend really think it wise to provide a hide-out for this rat Mussolini?
§ The Prime MinisterI think it would be as well to have confidence in the decision of the Government, whose sole desire is to inflict the maximum amount of injury on the enemy.
§ Sir T. MooreBut the country as a whole is anxious. [Interruption].
§ Sir A. SouthbyOn a point of Order. I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.