HC Deb 27 June 1955 vol 543 cc22-4
31. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that at the Le Bourget Air Display on Sunday 19th June, 1955, the speeds and ceilings of the Victor and Vulcan aircraft were announced; and how much of this information is still restricted.

Mr. Maudling

I am aware that unofficial estimates of the performance of the aircraft were announced. The correct figures are secret, but my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Air informed the House on 10th March that the Vulcan and the Victor have already flown in development flights at over 50,000 feet, within a small fraction of the speed of sound.

Mr. Wigg

Was this information correct or not? If it was correct, quite clearly there has been a serious leakage of vital information. If it is not correct, somebody is being hoodwinked.

Mr. Maudling

The figures were taken from a French publication. As I have said that the correct figures are secret, clearly I cannot say whether these figures are correct. There was, however, nothing to prevent any commentator from making an estimate of this kind based on the information already given to the House, which I have quoted.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not strange that this information, however limited in character, was given in France but was not available in this country? Can that be explained?

Mr. Maudling

I do not quite understand what the right hon. Gentleman means about its not being available. It was published in the French paper; an estimate was made by a French paper. As I said, the correct figures are secret, and will remain secret.

Mr. A. Henderson

In view of the fact that the announcement by the Under-Secretary of State indicated that the speed of these aircraft was within a fraction of the speed of sound and the statement made in Paris was, therefore, not materially inaccurate, would the Minister not consider revising the rules with regard to secrecy in relation to these aircraft, performances of which are published very accurately in many magazines in this and in other countries, and make a statement giving the performances in detail, because they are extremely satisfactory and this might have a quite useful political effect if it were done?

Mr. Maudling

I am grateful to the right hon. and learned Gentleman for pointing out that the performance of these aircraft is very encouraging. It is our policy to try to give the House as much information as we can, as my hon. Friend has done, but if we went beyond that and gave the information, it would assist other people more than this country.

Mr. Wigg

Will the Minister give an assurance that this information was not supplied by the Air Ministry? As everybody knows, these figures are fantastically high, and it might suit the Government's policy to put out figures, not to deceive the Russians, but to deceive the British public and, of course, to deceive hon. Members on the benches opposite?

Mr. Maudling

I do not think that that question really calls for a serious answer. That is not the sort of policy in which any Government of this country would indulge.