§ 47. Sir C. CAYZERasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the outcome of the recent disarmament conversations, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to take immediate steps to bring the Royal Air Force up to a one-Power standard?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am unable at present to add anything to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen East (Mr. Boothby) on 9th April.
§ Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSONWill the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision, and raise a loan for the purpose of giving us the right position in the air?
§ The PRIME MINISTERRaising a loan does not represent all the difficulties that are involved in doing that.
§ Mr. WHITESIDEIf a substantial reduction in the air forces of other nations does not take place before the House rises for the Summer Recess, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that we should immediately build up to parity?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI wish we could build up to parity under conditions like that. Parity has to be worked up to. My right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council stated quite specifically what the determination of the Government was.