§ I come to the Fleet Air Arm. This expenditure is the same as last year. I think it was in October last year that the Government, in the last days of its existence, decided that the cost of this arm should be on our vote as a grant-in-aid to the Air Ministry, and by that condition we have so far been guided as to the relations between the two Services. It is for us to set the requirements we want, and for the Air Mini-try to arrange to supply them. That was explained by the Secretary of State for Air on the Air Estimates. Their object is, as an integral part of the Fleet, to operate in any geographical position where there maybe a sea fight, and to assist in protecting shipping against aircraft and other forms of attack. The personnel will consist of naval and air officers. The estimated cost will be £ 1,320,000, and this will be devoted to maintenance charges, pay of 2519 personnel, and the provision of material to complete the establishment and reserve. The sum of £ 109,800 is set aside to meet part of the cost of 24 war aircraft to be ready for "Glorious" and "Courageous" when they commission later on.
§ Lieut.-Commander BURNEYIn regard to the control of the combined operation of the seaplanes and aircraft carriers who would be in command I Would the air officer be in command or would the Admiralty and the Naval officer be in command?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am not quite sure that I can answer that question. The Prime Minister has recently stated that the question was still under consideration with regard to the details between the two Services, but I think I am right in saying that if it was a naval engagement the naval officer would be in command.
§ Lieut.-Commander BURNEYThat is a very important point. Am I to understand that under present conditions if we went to war the Government do not know who, under those conditions, is going to be in control?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not think the hon. and gallant Gentleman should understand that. I said that if it were a naval action the naval officer would be in command.
§ Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIRThe right hon. Gentleman said that so far as the Admiralty are concerned they were being guided by the decisions of the Balfour Committee. Has the right hon. Gentleman contemplated any variation of that?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI cannot at this point be drawn into a discussion of the whole subject. Up to now we have proceeded as before, but that does not preclude us from reconsidering the question. I think the Prime Minister said this afternoon that he was not prepared to give a definite answer as to the relative position of the two Services.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANOr. that point there are certain matters left very obscure. I am most anxious that the 2520 relations between the two Services should be as friendly as possible, and I am Dot going to be goaded into saying anything that may be offensive. I believe it is quite possible, by friendly arrangements, to settle the matter between us, and I am quite sure it is not possible to do it if one Department is going to be perpetually urged to fight with the other. I do not say that the present arrangement is ideal, but I believe that we can come to something better, and we should try to do so by as friendly arrangements as possible. The present strength of the Air Fleet Arm is 105. There are 24 spotting machines and 27 reconnaissance machines, 36 fighters, and 18 torpedo bombers. That is sufficient to equip the "Argus," the "Hermes," "Eagle," and "Furious"; and there are 12 fighters for battleships and cruisers. The total strength by the end of 1925-26 will be increased by 24, and in personnel by the end of 1925-26 it should be 241 officers and 1,021 men; 34 officers have been trained, and 14 are under training now, and eventually we hope that 70 per, cent. of the pilots and 100 per cent. of the observers will be naval.