34. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for War what he is doing to secure dive-bombers for the Army?
§ Sir J. GriggI am in constant touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air as to the means by which close air support can best be given to the troops, but my hon. Friend will not expect me to give information which might be of help to the enemy.
Miss WardDoes my right hon. Friend hold the same view as his predecessors, that the Army will accept, and that they want, all the dive-bombers that they can get? Does he imagine that he will get any? That would not be giving any information to the enemy, who know that the Army has not got any?
§ Mr. ShinwellCannot the right hon. Gentleman give us some information which will not be of any value to the enemy?
§ Sir Hugh O'NeillAre the Army and Air Force authorities now agreed about the use of dive-bombers, or is there any difference of opinion?
§ Sir J. GriggWill my right hon. Friend put down a Question about that?
§ Mr. ShinwellWhy does the right hon. Gentleman hedge on a matter of such vital importance? Does he not appreciate that no hon. Member desires to convey valuable information to the enemy, but that we do want assurances that the Government fully appreciate the need for dive-bombers?
§ Sir J. GriggDiscussions on the general subject have been going on between the two Departments. They are in a very advanced stage, and I hope that very shortly they will be concluded satisfactorily.
§ Sir W. DavisonIs every effort being made to supply dive-bombers?
§ Mr. Speaker rose——
§ Mr. Garro JonesCan I put another Supplementary? It is a very important point.
§ Mr. SpeakerWe have been a long time on this Question.
§ Sir William DavisonWe have had no reply to the Questions we have put.
§ Mr. SpeakerThere has been a reply, though it may not have been a satisfactory one.