HC Deb 19 October 1939 vol 352 cc1058-9W
Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will cause inuiry to be made to ascertain how enemy aircraft were able to reach the Forth Bridge without apparent challenge; and how those aircraft which escaped from the attack of the local anti-aircraft defences were able apparently to reach the open sea again, nearly 40 miles from the scene of the fighting, without interception?

Mr. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the air-raid warning was not given in Edinburgh on Monday, 16th October, and how it was that German airplanes reached the Forth before they were observed?

Mr. Henderson Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Air, whether, as the result of his inquiries, he is able to throw further light upon the absence of air-raid warnings during the raid on the Firth of Forth on 16th October; whether he is satisfied to leave the decision as to whether a warning shall be sounded before and during an actual air raid to the officer commanding fighter command; and what further instructions have been, or are being issued, to ensure that timely and adequate warning is given to threatened areas?

Sir K. Wood

The problem of intercepting enemy aircraft which are moving at speeds of four miles a minute and upwards at any height up to 20,000 feet or more and taking every advantage of cloud and haze conditions, is obviously one of great difficulty. We regard our defence system as highly effective, as events have proved; but we have never claimed that enemy aircraft will not on occasion penetrate it. None the less, on Monday our patrols intercepted the enemy and attacked them with highly successful results. Some enemy aircraft were brought down while attacking their target, and others while trying to escape: others again were certainly damaged.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister explained on Tuesday why the sirens were not sounded in Edinburgh last Monday, and I have nothing to add to that explanation. He also said that the circumstances in which air raid warnings should be issued will be carefully reviewed in the light of the experience gained.

The responsible and very difficult task of deciding when, having regard to the movements of hostile aircraft, any aircraft warning shall be given, must be left to the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command, in whom His Majesty's Government have the fullest confidence.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in the light of further inquiry, he is satisfied with the strength of the anti-aircraft defences in the East of Scotland; whether, in particular, he can assure the House that a sufficient number of fighter machines and anti-aircraft batteries are available, and the sea observation air service, listening organisation, warning system and chaser-machine service are adequate to protect the vital naval and industrial areas in the central belt of Scotland?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

The high proportion of losses inflicted on the enemy in the course of the attack on the Firth of Forth area on the 15th October indicates the effectiveness of the defences. All aspects of the air defence situation are, however, closely watched and adjustments made as necessary in the light of experience.