§ 57. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air for what object the Royal Air Force pageant is held annually; and is he satisfied that this object is achieved?
§ Mr. LEACHThe first and primary object of the pageant is to hold for the Royal Air Force what has been found necessary in all Services—an annual inspection and review—as a means, of ascertaining the degree of efficiency that is being maintained and as a test of individual and collective skill. In this respect this pageant corresponds somewhat to the reviews which take place in the other Services at Spithead and Aldershot. The second object is to allow the greatest possible number of the population of this Empire to witness the display and thus to be enabled to see for themselves the functions of the Royal Air Force. Thirdly, it is a means of raising charitable funds for this new Service. For 1923,£5,247 was thus handed over. If the Royal Air Force Pageant ever ceased to be a "draw" near London, it would then be taken to Salisbury Plain or some other suitable spot, where it would be held annually for the objects I have named.