HC Deb 18 January 1944 vol 396 cc31-2
55. Sir Herbert Williams

asked the Prime Minister if he can make a statement about the progress of operations in Italy.

The Prime Minister

I should like in the near future to make a statement to the House about the general progress of the war, including the war in Italy; but I would ask to be given some latitude about the actual date.

Sir H. Williams

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some perturbation has been caused through the false optimism raised in a recent speech which General Montgomery made to his troops, in which he indicated the probability of the early capture of Rome?

The Prime Minister

I do not know about false optimism, but there has been a lot of bad weather.