§ 25. Sir Leonard Lyleasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that Army precautions make possible the fullest use of Bren and machine-gun fire against enemy aeroplanes operating on the tip-and-run system, and whether orders to fire are given in all such cases with the minimum of delay, including the avoidance of reference to higher officials?
§ Sir J. GriggYes, Sir. But troops armed with machine-guns or other small arms and trained in anti-aircraft defence have instructions not to open fire on any aircraft unless it is clearly recognised as hostile by its appearance or judged to be hostile by its actions.
§ Sir L. LyleIs my right hon. Friend aware that in a great many cases when there are these tip-and-run raids on the South coast, the light guns have been in a good position and ready to fire, and 1060 have not been able to fire owing to "red tape" regulations?
§ Sir J. GriggThe "red tape" regulations, if any, are imposed by the Royal Air Force. I know that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air has had under review the question of intercepting these tip-and-run raiders.