HC Deb 22 June 1943 vol 390 c992
34. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the use of the Scorpion mine destroyers was a success in the North African campaign; and why these machines had to be improvised in Egypt instead of being manufactured at home in quantities?

Mr. Henderson

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to add anything to the answers given to my hon. Friend on 13th April and to my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 4th May.

Mr. Bellenger

Although I appreciate the desire for security, were not these Scorpion mine destroyers used in the last war, and therefore the Germans are presumably fully aware of the possibilities of these weapons? At any rate, may I ask whether the War Office are giving close consideration to this and other weapons in order to destroy minefields, which will probably be one of the main forms of defence against our troops?

Mr. Henderson

I can certainly give that assurance.

Mr. Stokes

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that a mine-clearing tank of this type was offered to the War Office in 1939, and that many of the casualties at El Alamein and afterwards have been the result of the absence of these weapons?

Mr. Henderson

As regards the first part of that question, I have no knowledge of it. As regards the second part, I would certainly not accept it.