§ 2. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can state the strength of the South African Union in aeroplanes, civil and/or military; and the annual cost of that service in the latest South African Budget?
Mr. J. H. THOMASAccording to the Annual Report of the Department of Defence of the Union of South Africa for 1933, there were 65 civil aircraft registered in the Union as at the 30th June, 1933. As regards military aircraft, the information given in the League of Nations Armaments Year Book for 1934 relates to the year 1931; the number of military aeroplanes is there shown as 66, made up of 38 capable of use in war in commission or in immediate reserve with operational units, and 28 in commission on the training establishment not capable of use in war. In the Union Budget for the year ended 31st March, 1935, an amount of £81,337 has been included as provision for civil aviation (including a sum of £74,000 in respect of Imperial Airways Service), and a total of £134,000 has been included as provision for the Union Air Force.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWould it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to obtain up-to-date figures; and may I ask whether the Union Government are keeping us informed—our Air Ministry—as to what their air strength is?