§ Mr. ROWLANDSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Sir Percy Scott wrote him a letter in which he expressed his appreciation of the services rendered by the officers and men of the Anti-Aircraft Corps; and, if so, has he an objection to publishing the letter?
§ Dr. MACNAMARASir Percy Scott has written a letter to the First Lord expressing his appreciation of the services rendered by the officers and men of the Anti-Aircraft Corps. Nothing would give us greater pleasure than to cause this communication to be published in extenso, but as it contains a record of the steps which have been taken under Sir Percy Scott's direction to improve the gunnery defences of London it would clearly not be in the public interest to do so.
Nevertheless, I am sure the House would like to know that Sir Percy Scott, as a result of the five months' experience during his tenure of the command of the gunnery defences of London, takes occasion to speak in the highest terms of the manner in which the members of the Anti-Aircraft Corps—drawn as they are from all professions and spheres—have devoted themselves to their duties. He tells us that they have all—both officers and men—displaved an energetic eagerness to master the intricacies of their duties; and 903W it gives him great pleasure to pay a tribute of appreciation to the valuable services they have rendered.
On behalf of the Board of Admiralty, I cordially associate myself with his commendation.