HC Deb 27 April 1953 vol 514 cc1758-60
51. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that improvements in jet aircraft carried out in British factories are known and applied in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with in a month and, in a very little longer time, are also applied on the engines of M.I.G. fighters in Korea; and whether he will institute an inquiry.

The Minister of Supply (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

No, Sir.

Mr. Wigg

Is the Minister aware that the statements in this Question were made at a conference of the Conservative Party and, as a result, a resolution was passed unanimously, in the presence of the Prime Minister, severely attacking the liberties of the subject? If so, what is he going to do about it?

Mr. Sandys

The hon. Member was good enough to send me a Press cutting of this speech which was made by a borough councillor in the hon. Member's constituency. It referred in particular to the sale of Nene engines to Russia by the late Government. In my opinion, the sale of these engines undoubtedly had the effect of reducing by about two years the technical lead in the development of these engines which we then had over the Russians.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the Minister aware that what he is now endeavouring to do is to avoid the substance of this Question by making a criticism of the late Government? Is he aware that at the Conservative Association Conference, in the presence of the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister, this borough councillor from Dudley, who is a member of the Conservative Party, made the statement referred to in the Question by my hon. Friend? Unless the Minister is prepared to deny that that statement was made and deny the Press report, would he be good enough to repudiate it?

Mr. Sandys

My answer to the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg) was, "No, Sir." But I would draw attention to the fact that in the Press cutting sent to me by the hon. Member, the borough councillor in question, after making this statement, said, "This is hearsay." It is a custom of this House that hon. Members do not put down Questions based on hearsay, and that they make themselves responsible for the statements contained in their Questions.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough, in the interests of the Government, in the interests of the Civil Service and in the interests of the military advisers, to repudiate the statement, even the implication in the statement, that the Soviet Union is able, within one month after the production of modern aircraft, some of them on the secret list, to obtain information?

Mr. Sandys

I will gladly repudiate that. The present Administration takes good care to see that our secrets are not passed over to the Soviet Government. The sale of these engines by the late Government resulted in the handing on a plate to the Soviet Government of two years' development work.

Mr. Wigg

In view of the Minister's cowardly reply —[HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."]—I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at an early opportunity on the Adjournment.

Mr. Shinwell

On a point of order—

Sir H. Williams

On a point of order—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The right hon. Gentleman is raising a point of order. I must take one at a time.

Mr. Shinwell

Some of us are in a position—I admit quite frankly—of some difficulty over this Question, and particularly over the answer, because it seems to imply that during the late Administration those of us who were responsible, as it happened, for preparing the defences of the country were in the habit of permitting secrets to be conveyed to the Soviet Union. That is a very serious charge. I wish to know, Sir, whether there is any redress and whether you can offer any guidance to hon. and right hon. Gentlemen to enable them to repudiate what are undoubtedly serious and, if I may say so, dastardly allegations.

Sir H. Williams

May I now raise my point of order? The right hon. Gentle man sought, Sir, on a point of order, to continue the discussion which had been terminated by the notice given by the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg) that he proposed to raise the matter on the Adjournment. In those circumstances, was not the right hon. Gentleman out of order?

Mr. Speaker

The position, as in any matter of this sort, can only be clarified by debate. We have had notice from the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg) that he is to raise this matter on the Adjournment, and I should say that that occasion would permit of the matter being thoroughly sifted.