§ 64. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he stated in a speech on 1st May last that, judged by every standard of defence, our Air Force at present was not strong enough; whether this was his view before the present Air Estimates were framed; and what steps he is taking, or has taken, to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As to the third part of the question, I have included an addition of the equivalent of 18 regular squadrons in the Air Estimates of this year. A subcommittee of the Committee of Imperial Defence is at the present time considering the question of the necessity of further expansion.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that with these extra squadrons our position will be safe?
§ Sir S. HOAREThat is exactly the question which the Sub-Committee of the Council of Imperial Defence are now inquiring into.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThe right hon. Gentleman made a statement with some knowledge, surely, in the speech referred to? Will his apprehensions be removed when these extra squadrons are provided?
§ Mr. LAMBERTIn view of the public interest in the matter, when will the Report of this Committee be published, or when will the House be put in possession of the facts?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe Committee has already held sixteen meetings, and we are sitting almost daily. Although I cannot be responsible for saying exactly when the Committee will report, yet I can say that there will be no undue delay. The Members of the Committee are anxious to make a Report as soon as possible.
Captain BENNIs it intended to provide additional squadrons by new Votes of money or by savings on other defence services?
§ Sir S. HOAREI could not give an answer until the Committee has reported.
§ 65. Rear-Admiral SUETERasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied with the present position of the country with regard to aerial defence; and, if not, has he laid the case for the air before the Committee inquiring into the administration of the fighting services, with the view of obtaining, in national interests, a better distribution of the money allocated for defence purposes?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe answer to the first part of the question of my hon. and gallant Friend is in the negative, and it is on this account that an addition of 18 regular squadrons is included in the Estimates of this year, and the question of the necessity of further expansion is being considered by a Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence. The Sub-Committee has already held many meetings and has devoted its special attention to the position of air defence.