HC Deb 20 May 1942 vol 380 cc217-8
22. Rear-Admiral Sir Murray Sueter

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is in a position to give an authentic account of the United States victory in the battle of Coral Sea; and whether the aeroplanes from aircraft-carriers played a leading part in gaining this victory?

Mr. Alexander

I am unable to add to the accounts of this action already published in the Press, from which it is reasonable to deduce that aeroplanes and aircraft-carriers were in operation.

Sir M. Sueter

Has not the First Lord of the Admiralty got accurate details from the United States authorities about this battle? It is very important that we should know something about it.

Mr. Alexander

We are anxious to get all the information we can. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend has seen the communiqué issued by the Navy Department on 9th May, in which they said that they did not wish to publish anything further for the time being, for reasons which they gave, but that they would publish more later.