§ 46. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that there are no guided missiles ready to replace Anti-Aircraft Command, that there are no modern fighters made in Britain 100 per cent. operationally serviceable, and that consequently there is at present no 2058 effective air defence of Britain, he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire how this situation arose and urgently to propose remedies.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. There will be no Royal Commission. I do not accept the hon. Member's statements of fact, but these are matters which are better considered during the impending debates. As he knows, White Papers on these subjects will be issued shortly. I do not think that it would be for the convenience of the House to anticipate them at Question time.
§ Mr. WyattIs the Prime Minister not aware that these facts have already been admitted by the Under-Secretary of State for Air? Does he not remember that on 5th March, 1952, he himself said:
My first impression on looking round the scene at home … as Minister of Defence was a sense of extreme nakedness such as I have never felt before in peace or war."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th March, 1952; Vol. 497, c. 434.]Does the right hon. Gentleman not think, in view of the fact that he has been in office for 3½ years, and that in relation to our present need we have less air defences than we had then, that there ought to be an investigation—a Royal Commission—to inquire into his failure, for which he is responsible, to give the country good air defences?
§ The Prime MinisterI hope that the hon. Gentleman will not find that he has mutilated his speech should he be called upon to take part in the debates on defence.