§ 42. Colonel GRETTONasked the Secretary of State for Air what number of machines are in possession of the Air Force in Great Britain and the out-stations, respectively, immediately ready for flight on war service on emergency; and what is the present number of pilots and observers, respectively, available for immediate service?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs regards the first part of the question, the present distribution of first line units of the Royal Air Force, with an average of 12 machines to a squadron, is 27½ squadrons at home, the 2215 equivalent of 9 squadrons for the Fleet Air Arm and 18½ squadrons distributed between India, Iraq, Egypt, Palestine, Aden and Malta. The answer to the last part of the question is 2,163 pilots and 29 observers.
§ Colonel GRETTONFor the answer to the first part of the question, I beg to thank the right hon. Gentleman, but he has not given the number of machines immediately ready for flight on emergency.
§ Sir S. HOAREMy hon. and gallant Friend will see I have given the number of squadrons, and the average number of machines in each squadron, and, therefore, I think a multiplication sum will show the number of machines. He may take it that from 10 to 12 machines are available in each squadron.
§ Colonel GRETTONCannot the right hon. Gentleman give me the total number of machines which he knows are immediately ready to fly on emergency?
§ Sir S. HOAREYes, I certainly can if my hon. and gallant Friend will either put a question down again or will communicate with me.