§ 34. Squadron Leader Burdenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a statement on his investigations into sabotage in Chatham dockyard.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsThere have been no incidents at Chatham dockyard during the last two years which, on investigation, were found to be attributable to malicious damage.
§ Squadron Leader BurdenIs the Minister aware that considerable disquiet has been caused in Chatham dockyard by a report that appeared in the "Daily Express" on Saturday, 23rd September, quoting a statement of the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd)? If and when sabotage is suspected in His Majesty's dockyards, could a statement be made so that the men working in the dockyards, most of whom are loyal, can themselves look out for sabotage?
§ Mr. EdwardsWe cannot be responsible for issuing denials of things which are said by hon. Members or even by the Press. We would have a busy time doing that and we should not be able to get on with our work at the Admiralty.