HC Deb 24 October 1950 vol 478 cc2691-3
35. Mr. Low

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the arrival of 11 Armoured Division to the British Army of the Rhine will add the normal complement of an armoured division in tanks and armoured regiments to the number of tanks and armoured regiments at present in the British Army of the Rhine.

Mr. M. Stewart

It would not be in the public interest to give this information.

Mr. Low

How comes it that it is not in the public interest to tell the House that that which it has been promised would be done has been done? Surely, it can only be not in the public interest if the answer to this Question is "No," and that would be very serious.

Mr. Stewart

The hon. Member must make what speculations he chooses. I think he knows as well as I do that it would not be in the public interest.

Mr. Low

I suggest that it is clear from what the hon. Gentleman has said that it is only not in the public interest because the answer to my Question is in the negative.

Mr. Nally

In view of the interest on all matters of security which is particularly demonstrated by the Opposition, is it not a fact that it would be contrary to the public interest, and a very great danger on many occasions connected with military matters, if any Minister of the Crown or any junior Minister were to give in this House the exact composition, and its relation to full strength, of any division proceeding for overseas service; and will he take all the precautions he can to en sure that these facts—

Mr. Speaker

This seems to be a long speech. It is almost an argument: it is not a question.

Mr. Eden

Will the hon. Gentleman elucidate what this secrecy is about, because the Prime Minister told us in absolutely definite terms that we were sending a new armoured division to Germany? What is the secrecy about? Is it that its number is 11, or what?

Mr. Stewart

No. The right hon. Gentleman will notice that the Question refers to the complement of tanks and other details about this division. It asks for much more detailed information than has already been given or than it would be reasonable to give.

Mr. Eden

Surely the hon. Gentleman knows that the establishments of armoured divisions are published and are known to the whole world, so what is the secrecy?