HC Deb 02 February 1943 vol 386 cc740-1
34. Sir Leonard Lyle

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers equipped with adequate weapons have orders to fire on low-flying enemy aeroplanes or whether they must refer the matter to their superior officers and await instructions; and whether officers can act on their own intiative or must refer to some higher authority for sanction?

Sir J. Grigg

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 6th October of last year. I have nothing to add to that reply except to assure my hon. Friend that the instructions about firing at aircraft are clearly understood by all concerned and are acted upon without reference to higher authority.

Sir L. Lyle

Is it not a fact that in some of the recent raids when low-flying aircraft have been over small guns have been in a position to fire and that they have not done so because of the difficulty of getting instructions?

Sir J. Grigg

If my hon. Friend will give me the particular cases he has in mind, I will inquire into them, but it is clear that guns ought not to fire when fighter aircraft are up.

Captain C. S. Taylor

Will my right hon. Friend consult with the Secretary of State for Air to see whether our fighter aircraft could maintain a certain specified height when there are not German machines in the neighbourhood?

Sir J. Grigg

I believe there is something of that sort in force.