HC Deb 02 May 1951 vol 487 cc1157-8
13. Air Commodore Harvey

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on the Forces and equipment of the Royal Air Force being used in the Korean campaign.

The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Arthur Henderson)

Two squadrons of Sunderland flying boats have been carrying out reconnaissance work since the beginning of the campaign, and Hastings and Dakota aircraft belonging to Transport Command and the Far East Air Force have been engaged in evacuating casualties of the United Nations Forces.

Air Commodore Harvey

Will the Secretary of State say what his public relations officers have been up to in recent months? The public know nothing whatever of what the Royal Air Force has been doing. Surely it is up to the Minister to see that the public are informed.

Mr. Henderson

I do not think that is quite in accordance with the facts, because the Minister of Defence on at least two occasions has made a statement in the House giving details of the work done by the Royal Air Force in Korea, and there is no reason why the Press should not publish those statements.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Could the Minister give an assurance that no British bombers are taking part in the mass destruction of Korean cities. Will he assure us that British bombers are not responsible for turning so many Korean cities into smouldering cemeteries?

Captain Ryder

Will the Minister bear in mind that when the Fighting Services are engaged on activities which are not particularly sensational, it is all the more important that public relations officers should bring these often hazardous operations to the attention of the public?

Mr. Henderson

In fairness to my public relations officers I must say that we cannot compel the Press to publish information which perhaps they do not consider interesting to their readers.

Mr. James Hudson

Could not my right hon. and learned Friend tell my hon. Friend the Member for Ayrshire, South (Mr. Emrys Hughes) that there is no truth in what he said about the destruction of Korean cities by our bombers?

Mr. Henderson

If my hon. Friend the Member for Ayrshire, South (Mr. Emrys Hughes) will read my reply, he will see whether there are any British bombers in Korea.

16. Mr. W. Robson-Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Air what information he has as to the country of manufacture of the jet engines of enemy jet planes shot down by British planes in Korea.

Mr. A. Henderson

I am advised that no enemy jet aircraft shot down in Korea have landed on territory occupied by United Nations Forces and, consequently, no information has been obtained as to the country of manufacture of their jet engines.

Mr. Robson-Brown

May I thank the Minister for his statement, which refutes the allegation made in the United States House of Representatives that every jet propelled aeroplane shot down in Korea had a British jet engine in it?