HC Deb 22 February 1955 vol 537 cc1069-70

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

50. Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the White Paper on the Supply of Military Aircraft, Command Paper No. 9388, contains a number of mis-statements of fact; and whether he will instruct the Ministers of Defence and Supply to withdraw this White Paper and issue a complete and accurate survey of the subject before the White Paper on Defence is debated in this House.

Mr. Wyatt

On a point of order. Whether in error or out of an intense desire to answer my Question, the Prime Minister began to answer Question No. 50. As he has given a partial answer that must now be recorded in HANSARD, as there is no means of deleting what he said from HANSARD, would it not be in the interests of the House, if the Prime Minister is willing, if the whole answer were given?

Mr. Speaker

I am afraid that that has nothing to do with me. All I am concerned with is that the time is after 3.30 p.m., and I am afraid we must proceed to the next business. I may say that the complete answer will appear as a written answer in the Official Report.

Mr. Stokes

Surely it will look very odd if this unpremeditated effort upon the part of the Prime Minister appears, incomplete, in HANSARD? It will not cost the Prime Minister any effort to regurgitate it. Cannot he get on with it?

The Prime Minister

As the error was mine, in turning over more pages than one, may I ask your indulgence, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, and finish my reply?

Mr. Speaker

Very well.

The Prime Minister

The White Paper is an accurate factual summary about the supply of military aircraft since 1945. The hon. Member's allegation that it contains a number of mis-statements of fact is not accepted by Her Majesty's Government. It might well be an issue which might be raised in the pending debates on defence, and perhaps the hon. Member will find an opportunity to take part in them. One never can tell.

Mr. Wyatt

I thank the Prime Minister for his intercession on my behalf with you, Mr. Speaker, but may I ask him whether it is not inaccurate to say that we have the best night fighter defence in the world when all that is meant is that we have the best system of communications and means of being aware that enemy bombers are overhead, but that we do not have the means to shoot them down? Is not the Prime Minister aware that the "Daily Telegraph" has said that several statements in this White Paper are astonishing, and that the "Manchester Guardian" has described it as lacking in candour? Is he also aware that it has not satisfied any of the military experts?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member seems to be anticipating the debate.