39. Mr. MALONEasked the Prime Minister whether representations have recently been made to him concerning the state of the Air Force and of civil aviation; and what action His Majesty's Government intends to take?
§ 40. Major-General SEELYasked the Prime Minister what decision the Government has made with regard to air defence?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of Question 39 is in the affirmative. The whole subject is now being considered by the Committee of Imperial Defence, but no decision has yet been taken.
Mr. MALONEAre we to have any statement before the House rises? Shall I put down a question in the meantime?
§ Major-General SEELYI understood from the Prime Minister, in answer to previous questions, that a decision would certainly be come to before the end of this month. Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House that, on this matter, which has now been so long delayed, he will be able to give a decision definitely, in the course of the next day or two?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI need not impress on my right hon. Friend how very important is the decision which has to be taken, or how controversial is the problem. There is not complete agree- 669 ment among those who are in favour of increasing the efficiency and strength of the force. There have been various suggestions, and it was only on last Friday we were able to arrange to hear those rival views. They have to be very carefully considered, and we have to take into account the whole of the suggestions put before us. It would be very rash of me to endeavour to fix the date of coming to a decision, but I can assure my right hon. Friend that we are fully alive to the gravity of the problem. We are considering it very carefully, and are having regard to the importance of the, subject.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHas the right hon. Gentleman taken into account the possibility of the question of air disarmament arising in discussions on reparation and debts?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIn the event of the right hon. Gentleman not being able to announce a decision before the House rises, and if the Committee of the Cabinet does then arrive at a decision, can that decision be enforced without waiting for the reassembling of the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes.
15. Mr. MALONEasked the Secretary of State for Air if he can make a statement as to the proposed constitution of the Territorial Air Force; and what will be the cost?
Captain GUESTThe constitution of the auxiliary or Teritorial Air Force will in general be similar co that of the Territorial Army, except in so far as differences in regard to service, training and material in the two arms make a divergence necessary. As stated in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for East Lewisham, on 10th July, it is uncertain when the Bill for the Auxiliary Air Force can be proceeded with, the whole question of home defence, with which this is bound up, being under consideration by the Committee of Imperial Defence. The cost will depend on the size of any such force it is decided to raise.