HC Deb 11 February 1931 vol 248 cc379-80
17. Mr. ROSS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the number of aeroplanes in the Fleet air arm and in the United States Navy at present?

Mr. ALEXANDER

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 28th January (OFFICIAL REPORT, column 986) to the hon. Member for East Willesden (Mr. D. G. Somerville).

Mr. ROSS

Do not the figures given in that reply show a very great superiority in the United States Navy?

Mr. ALEXANDER

I think the number of their planes available is nearly double our figure as given in my last answer.

Mr. ROSS

Is that parity?

Mr. ALEXANDER

If the hon. Member wants to test parity, he had better examine every category.

Commander SOUTHBY

What is the right hon. Gentleman going to do about it?

as to what is to be done with the men's own money.