§ 4 and 5. Mr. Purbrickasked the Secretary of State for Air (1) whether he will give the approximate number of aircraft factories and tank factories, respectively, in Germany; and how many of each of these have been bombed;
(2) whether he will give the estimated number of aircraft factories and tank factories, respectively, in France that are being operated for the benefit of Germany; and how many of each of these have been bombed?
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)It would not be in the public interest to give information such as that asked for by my hon. Friend, since to do so would reveal to the enemy the extent of our knowledge in important respects and disclose the proportion of our attack which has been directed against particular objectives.
§ Mr. PurbrickWhile accepting that, may I ask whether the knowledge, regarding how many of these places have been bombed, is in the hands of the Air Ministry?
§ Captain BalfourMy hon. Friend has accepted the answer I gave. He will not expect me to give a further reply to the question he has now put.
§ Mr. PurbrickI am only asking whether you have the information.
§ Captain BalfourYes, Sir.