Captain Hogan said that if there was a sudden emergency the anti aircraft defences of London could be supplied with little more than half the necessary guns; that many of these would not be available for immediate use, and that even then some of the guns would have to be drawn from the Regular Mr. Sandys then read a speech müde by Mr.
Here-Belisha when opening the new headquarte: s of an anti-aircraft unit at Albany eet Barracks, Regent's Park. fence?—Yes, Were you aware that officers who were actually engaged in the defence services were indignant at what I may call perhaps without offence the somewhat flamboyant optimism of the Secretary of State's speeches?—Ko; I have no communication with officers who have communicated any such impression.
You would understand that it "This speech naturally surprised me," said Mr. Sandys. "For it appeared that the Secretray of State was under the impression that the anti-aircraft units had their full requirements, if not of the new 3/in. guns at any rate of the old 3 in. guns.
At his first interview with mr.
Here-Belisha, Mr, Sandys said that he told the War Minister that officers and men in the anti-aircraft unit were astonished at his speeches and might be relevant to this inquiry to consider the frame of mind of officers who were working under great difficulties of shortage and who had to read speeches which gave the impression that things were better than they really were?—I really do not know what the suggestion un-denying that question is, but, if it is that officers were annoyed with the attitude of the Secretary of State, and, therefore, felt justified in closing information, then I should certainly repudiate that.
"Keep It Quiet"
Mr. Walkden, another member of the committee, asked Mr. Chamber-loin: Was it your feeling that Mr. Sandys had tried to produce this information improperly?—Yes; I think I must say "Yes" to that. I do think it was improper.
And that it had been divulged improperly?—No, I did not say that.
I did not mean divulged by Mr.
Sandys. I only meant by whoever Bag divulged it to Mr. Sandys.—Yes, I do feel that definitel Chamberlain said he understood the information concerned was known only to about five people—less than ten.
Mr. Here-Belisha, in his evidence to the committee, said that after receiving Mr. Sandys' letter regarding the putting of a question in the House of Commons unless the information he had was privately contradicted, he thought that was an extraordinary method of approach, in view of the patx which must have been taken to make the infor-
Parliamentary answers on the subject.
Referring to his interview with the Attorney-General, Mr.
Sandys said "So seriously was I pressed by the attitude adopted at this interview by the Attorney-General that the next ning (Friday, June 24), thinking at house might be searched, 1 burnt two papers which would have led the source of my informa-
Sandys was asked what the two notes he burned had contained, and replied that one was some notes given him by Captain Hogan with the information which was, incorporated in his question in Parliament on the subject. The other was the original draft Parliamentary question which he had shown Captain Hogan and which he had amended in one or two respects in his handwriting.
Speaking of his conversation with the War Minister, Mr. Sandys said that when he mentioned the figures he had obtained, he was told that he was entirely misinformed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.