HC Deb 11 March 1924 vol 170 cc2179-80

I should like to say a few words with regard to co-operative work for the Army and Navy. The units for the Navy are organised now on a flight basis instead of a squadron basis. This has been in order to meet the tactical requirements of the Fleet. A flight usually consists of six machines, and we have arranged to form approximately five new flights. That is an increase over and above previous allocation and it brings the total flights associated with this work up to 21—in effect, 121 first line machines. This number includes only initial first line equipment. It takes no account of reserve machines and engines held for the purposes of maintaining units up to strength. All this means extra specialised training of a large number of officers and men, and the results have been profoundly good. A number of deck landing trials have been made and experiments have been conducted with seven different types of aeroplanes. These have been proceeding throughout the year, and my Department believes that this country is well ahead of any other in all branches of naval aviation. The method of co-operative working between the Air Force and the Navy has been laid down by the National Imperial Defence Committee and accepted by both Departments. We hope it will be in full working operation in the near future. The question has often been discussed in this House and I suppose it has been the subject of many joyous frays, but the combat, I hope, is now ended. In regard to co-operation with the Army, the release of the Constantinople squadrons has improved our positions. This year one squadron has been formed for the Northern Command. This will bring the Army co-operation squadrons at home up to four.

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