§ 49. Commander Sir Archibald Southbyasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent broadcast by Air-Marshal Harris, it is intended that Italy shall be subjected to aerial attack similar to that threatened against Germany; and whether, in view of the bombing of Cairo and Malta by Axis machines, he will ensure that military targets in Rome and other Italian cities shall now be attacked?
§ Mr. AttleeI would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that it is not possible to give any public indication of our future operational plans.
§ Sir A. SouthbyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public in this country, and certainly the public in Malta, are unable to understand why Italy is treated with such tenderness, particularly in view of the fact that Italy is the base from which Rommel gets supplies of men and material for his forces in North Africa? Is it not time that something definite was done about bombing Italy?
§ Mr. AttleeThere is no policy of treating Italy with tenderness.
§ Sir A. SouthbyThen why has not Italy been bombed?
§ Mr. AttleeIt has been.