HL Deb 21 July 1942 vol 123 cc978-9
LORD MOTTISTONE

My Lords, I beg to ask the question standing on the Paper in my name.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government, if they can state the reason for the long delay in issuing the pamphlet Plans for Civilian Action in Invasion, dated 8th June, 1942, and issued to both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, 9th June. And further, whether they will take steps to ensure that the contents of this pamphlet will be made as fully known to the civilian population and the Defence Services as in the case of the two previous pamphlets Beating the Invader and If the Invader Comes, which have now become obsolete.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)

My Lords, the statement to which the noble Lord refers was made available to the Press on June 9, that is the same day on which it was made in this House. Copies of it are being dispatched to military and civilian authorities and to all members of invasion committees. The question of further publicity will be kept under review and such steps taken as from time to time may be considered necessary.

LORD MOTTISTONE

My Lords, arising out of that reply may I be allowed to ask for a specific answer to the question whether the Government will give the same publicity to this new order as was given to the old order? In the original order we were told to be rabbits, quite definitely—rabbits, go to ground—and in the new order we are told to be lions. I think it is only fair that the people should be told of the change. May I press for an answer? Will the noble Duke give an assurance—I understood that it was the Government's intention—that the same publicity will be given to the lion document as was given to the rabbit document?

THEDUKE OF DEVONSHIRE

My Lords, I think very much wider publicity is actually being given to the new document, for the invasion committees are new bodies and every member of those committees is being sent a copy of the new instructions which have also been issued to the Press. The fact that we have seen rather less of this new order than of the previous order may be due to the fact that invasion is not so much in mind now as it was in June or July, 1940. The Press, however, are in full possession of the document and it is now being issued to all responsible authorities throughout the country.

LORD MOTTISTONE

Perhaps the noble Duke has forgotten that the rabbit document was circulated to every citizen by house to house distribution through the Post Office. Let them be told to be lions in the same way.

THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE

I will bring that suggestion to the notice of my right honourable friend.