HC Deb 12 December 1944 vol 406 cc1038-9
45. Mr. Purbrick

asked the Prime Minister whether he will notify Germany that while they continue their war on our civilians, by robots and rockets, we shall bomb German cities such as Dresden, Breslau, Magdeburg and elsewhere.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)

As my hon. Friend has already been informed, the principle on which our targets in Germany are selected is that of destroying as quickly as possible Germany's power to wage war. There really is no comparison between what they are able to do to us and what we are doing to them.

Mr. Purbrick

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in 1942 the Prime Minister broadcast to Germany that, if they employed gas, we should retaliate in the same way? In the present circumstances does he not think that a similar warning might be very effective?

Mr. Eden

I prefer the line of my answer.

Mr. Tinker

I trust that the Government will only be guided by military considerations.