HC Deb 09 December 1952 vol 509 cc220-1
36. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on the manpower strength of the anti-aircraft branch of the Army in the United Kingdom which would be available in the event of an emergency.

Mr. Head

No, Sir.

Mr. Shinwell

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why he declines to give an answer? Does he understand that I am not asking for specific figures but put down the Question to enable him to make a general statement indicating whether the position is satisfactory or not?

Mr. Head

The right hon. Gentleman's Question asked me to give the manpower strength of the anti-aircraft branch of the Army, and the reasons for my not giving the information are identical with those given by the right hon. Gentleman himself on 22nd February, 1949.

Mr. Shinwell

If the right hon. Gentleman wishes both of us to consult the columns of HANSARD to witness our respective statements on this subject, I shall be glad to meet him, but will he address himself to the Question? I am asking him whether he will make a statement on the strength of the anti-aircraft branch. I do not ask for the actual figures. I want to know whether, in his opinion, the position is satisfactory. If it is not satisfactory, will he give us the reason why?

Mr. Head

That is not the exact Question on the Order Paper. I may have misunderstood the right hon. Gentleman's Question, but I thought he asked for the exact strength. However, on the whole the present position is satisfactory.

Mr. Snow

Is not the manpower and recruiting position of the anti-aircraft units of the Army very seriously jeopardised by the knowledge among many people who know anything about antiaircraft artillery that the present equipment on issue is hopelessly obsolete? Until there is some evidence that the Government will provide equipment capable of remote detonation by electronic means. will not that situation continue?

Mr. Head

We are doing our best on the equipment side, but the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the height and speed of modern bomber aircraft make the task of the anti-aircraft gun an extremely difficult one. I can assure him that in the matter of guided missiles a very high priority for research is being given.