§ LORD MARLEY asked His Majesty's Government whether time fuses only can be fitted to anti-aircraft shells, instead of time and percussion fuses which may be of danger to the general population. The noble Lord said: My Lords, we can very rapidly emerge from the whiff of grapeshot and barrages and proceed into the more limited atmosphere of anti-aircraft firing. The question standing in my name was put on the Paper only in the interests of the general public. We are a little anxious about the matter in view of the much increased anti-aircraft barrage which we all welcome. I received a very courteous communication from the 773 noble Lord, the Under-Secretary of State for War, in which he asked me to withdraw my question, and he was good enough to give me certain information of a confidential nature which partly answers the question I put upon the Paper. I would suggest that perhaps the noble Lord would give an assurance to the House that full consideration is being given to the question of giving as much protection as may be possible to the general, public, and if he will do so I will then be perfectly willing to comply with requests of the noble Lord and withdraw my question.
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (LORD CROFT)My Lords, may I thank my noble friend for the way he has put this matter? I think he will agree at once that the only possible reason I could have for asking him to withdraw his question was that it would be impossible for me to give him a technical answer on the question he has put on the Paper since such answer would be of value to the enemy. I am glad, however, to be able to assure him that this subject has been under continuous consideration. With respect to his request for further consideration, I would like to tell him that further improvements to anti-aircraft fuses are constantly being studied with a view to reducing any risk to the public. I would like to add that if the noble Lord himself, who I know has taken a very great interest in this question, would be good enough to send any information to me I will pass it on to the Department concerned, or if he would like personally to express his views we should be glad to welcome him because we know this question is asked in the interest of the public.
§ LORD MARLEYMy Lords, I beg to thank the noble Lord for what he has said.