Oral Answers to Questions — Royal Air Force – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 29 Ionawr 1947.
Mr William Warbey
, Luton
12:00,
29 Ionawr 1947
asked the Secretary of State for Air what arrangements have been made with the U.S.A.A.F. for the pooling of the results of research and the common study of tactics.
Mr Philip Noel-Baker
, Derby
I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 27th January.
Mr William Warbey
, Luton
Is my right hon. Friend aware that a statement has been made by an authoritative spokesman of the American Army Air Force that such arrangements have been made for the pooling of the results of research and the study of tactics, and will he either confirm or deny this report?
Mr Philip Noel-Baker
, Derby
This is a matter of general principle upon which statements of general principle have been made by my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Lord President of the Council. I do not think it would be right for me to add to those statements today.
Mr William Warbey
, Luton
Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is not a question of general principle, but that it is a question of detailed arrangements, and can he say whether such detailed arrangements have been made or are contemplated between his Department and the United States Army Air Force?
Mr Philip Noel-Baker
, Derby
The arrangements that we have made with the American Air Force are those which have arisen out of the war and, as has been explained by the Prime Minister, they are arrangements which we would be glad to make on a reciprocal basis with any other Ally. I hope that will satisfy my hon. Friend.
Mr Thomas Scollan
, Renfrewshire Western
Why cannot we get the same information as America?
Mr Philip Noel-Baker
, Derby
Because a great deal of information published—
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.