HC Deb 19 July 1950 vol 477 cc2264-6
52. Brigadier Clarke

asked the Minister of Defence if he is satisfied that our reserves of military equipment, including vehicles and tanks, are adequate to meet any foreseeable requirement that may be brought about by our treaty obligations.

Mr. Shinwell

I do not propose at present to add to the statement I made last Wednesday.

Brigadier Clarke

I do not recollect the statement of last Wednesday, but will the right hon. Gentleman realise that, whereas he can let the regular Army go down and have inadequate numbers, he cannot let the supply of equipment fall behind, as we cannot get it quickly?

Mr. Shinwell

If the hon. and gallant Member will refresh his memory by looking at the Question he put last Wednesday, he might think I gave an adequate reply.

Mr. Churchill

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to make a statement on this when we have a Debate on defence next week? Would he be prepared to make a statement on this point?

Mr. Shinwell

I am not aware of the Debate taking place next week, but if there should be a Debate, I shall endeavour to give right hon. and hon. Gentlemen the utmost information.

Mr. Churchill

I am astonished that the right hon. Gentleman, who is Minister of Defence, does not know of the repeated and often public demands we have made for a Debate, either in secret Session, or, failing that, in open Session. Has he not heard of any of that?

Mr. Shinwell

Yes, I am well aware that the right hon. Gentleman and members of the Opposition have asked both for a secret Session and, as an alternative, an open Session. I am aware of that demand, but I am not aware that the matter has been finalised.

Mr. Churchill

I do not wish to ask a hypothetical question and so I will not hang it on the Debate, but will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to make some answer to this question if we put it to him next week?

Mr. Shinwell

Certainly; if there should be a Debate I shall do my best to satisfy the natural curiosity of the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Churchill

It is not "natural curiosity" to try to know to what extent one's country is being shamefully let down.

Mr. Shinwell

The right hon. Gentleman has no right to make allegations of that kind until we have been provided with an opportunity of presenting the facts to the House.

Squadron Leader Burden

Is the Minister of Defence not aware that the prevarications and refusal of the Government to give any information are causing considerable concern throughout the country? Is it not time the Government gave hon. Members on this side of the House an opportunity to know as much about our defences as the Soviet Government probably know already?

Mr. Shinwell

The term "prevarications" seems to me to be unduly offensive in the circumstances—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—but if that is the stock in trade of the hon. and gallant Member, I must accept it. I repeat that if and when a Debate takes place, I shall do all I can to provide the House with adequate information.