HC Deb 23 March 1925 vol 182 cc33-4
63. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any approximate estimate has been made or could be made on the basis of present experience as to what is likely to be the size of the gross Air Estimates when a home defence force of 52 squadrons is attained; and whether he will state the number of squadrons for home defence for which the present Air Estimates provide?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Major Sir Philip Sassoon)

As regards the first part of the question, any forecast of the amount of the gross Air Estimates of a future year would be based on so many uncertain and variable factors that it would be valueless and misleading. As regards the second part, it is expected that seven, and possibly eight, new home defence squadrons will, in the financial year 1925–1926, be added to the existing 18.