§ 8. Mr. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Air what Royal Air Force aircraft will be equipped with LABS, the American low level bombing device; when it was decided that this device would be used by the Royal Air Force; and why the announcement of its adoption was made in the United States of America and not in this country.
Mr. WardOrders for this device were placed last year but clearly I cannot disclose what Royal Air Force aircraft will be fitted with it. My present information is that no official announcement was made in the United States.
§ Mr. de FreitasHow long are we to go on getting these announcements from American sources before they are made in this country? Surely the Secretary of State should recognise that we are entitled to know at first hand what has been done in the R.A.F. rather than to 1247 read about it at second hand in the American papers?
Mr. WardI can only repeat that there was no official announcement, so far as I can tell. I am looking further into the matter. I cannot stop leakages to the American Press.