HC Deb 11 March 1942 vol 378 cc1030-1
7. Mr. Simmonds

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many aircraft that could have been used operationally to attack the "Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau," on 12th February, 1942, were detained at or near their stations owing to pre-arranged inspections by senior officers of the Royal Air Force?

Sir A. Sinclair

None, Sir.

Mr. Simmonds

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that any Force with such a splendid fighting spirit as the Royal Air Force is subject to serious misunderstanding if these inspections are allowed to go on when a station feels it might be doing operational duties? Will he have the matter carefully investigated to see whether these inspections ought to be allowed to proceed on these days?

Sir A. Sinclair

This was not an actual inspection. The case to which the hon. Gentleman refers was the presentation of colours to the Belgian Squadron, and it was a ceremony affecting one of our Allied Air Forces.

Mr. Simmonds

Does not the Minister virtually admit that it is possible that some of these aircraft might have been used in the pursuit of these ships?

Sir A. Sinclair

I am glad the hon. Gentleman has raised that point, because I do not admit that at all. The squadrons which were stationed at that particular aerodrome were among the first to take off in the operations.

Rear-Admiral Beamish

Is it not a fact that the "Scharnhorst" and the "Gneisenau" could, and should, have been sunk by the Royal Air Force?