HC Deb 10 June 1942 vol 380 cc1048-9
34. Lieutenant Butcher

asked the Minister of Information why a warning was issued on the broadcast service on 3rd June, 1942, of the intention of the Royal Air Force to bomb cement factories in 10 named French towns?

Mr. Bracken

It would not be in the public interest to give the information which my hon. Friend requires.

Lieutenant Butcher

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if the warning is not implemented it is likely to bring discredit upon our new service, whereas if it is implemented there are likely to be enhanced difficulties and casualties among the persons taking part in an operation?

Mr. Bracken

My hon. and gallant Friend appears to have a firm grasp of the obvious. All these facts were taken into account by the Service Departments and by the Political Warfare Executive before the broadcast was made.

Sir Herbert Williams

Were the factories bombed?

Mr. Bracken

My hon. Friend can discover that when he reads his newspapers.

Mr. Kirby

Was it in the public interest to inform the Germans what places it was intended to bomb?

Mr. Bracken

Yes, Sir, it was thought to be in the public interest.