§ 11. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement regarding the loss of life due to the removal of anti-aircraft guns at a works of which he has been informed?
§ Sir A. SinclairIt is not in the public interest to discuss the tactical deployment of our anti-aircraft defences; that is a matter for the responsible commanders. I can, however, say that there was no removal of guns from the locality referred to.
§ Mr. EdwardsIs the Minister aware that it is quite a long time since I put the facts before him in this case, in which serious damage was caused to an important factory, that he promised me an immediate investigation; that I have had several letters from him since, and that on each occasion he has dodged the issue?
§ Sir A. SinclairI do not deny that my hon. Friend did write to me, but it is also true that I answered his letter. I must repudiate the suggestion that I have dodged the issue.
§ Mr. EdwardsIs it not a fact that the evidence I placed before the right hon. Gentleman was taken from the people in authority on the spot, and will he not look into the matter again?
§ Sir A. SinclairI realise that the hon. Member has special knowledge of this locality, and I was most careful thoroughly to investigate before I replied.