§ 31. Earl WINTERTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the relative strength of the British and German Air Forces in first-line aircraft has altered since the last official figures were given?
Sir P.SASSOONIf all relevant factors are taken into account, we believe that the Royal Air Force has still a margin of superiority over the German Air Force. Nevertheless, the rate of Germany's air development is such as to cause His Majesty's Government grave concern, and the situation will need close and continuous watchfulness in order that any necessary alterations may be made in our own programme, should circumstances so demand.
§ Earl WINTERTONMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in view of the serious anxiety which is felt by many of us over the complete discrepancy between the official figures given recently and those given by Herr Hitler to the Foreign Secretary, he will be able to produce figures in time for the Debate which my right hon. Friend the Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill) and I have asked for, and which we have reason to believe will take place soon after Easter, so that we may know what the position is?
Sir P.SASSOONMy Noble Friend knows that it is very difficult to get accurate and precise figures. Herr Hitler has claimed parity with the Royal Air Force in numbers, but, as I said in my Estimates' speech, first-line strength is only one of the factors that have to be taken into account in assessing the real military value of an Air Force.
§ Commander BOWERCan the right hon. Gentleman say what is the source of the inaccurate information which His Majesty's Government have? Have we not an Air Attaché in Berlin who is charged with the duty of providing this sort of information?
§ Sir P. SASSOONHe gives us all the information he can.
§ 32. Earl WINTERTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the present monthly production of new first-line aeroplanes for the air forces of 968 this country and of Germany, respectively?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe German Government have not, so far as I am aware, made public any figures of their current production of aircraft, nor, to date, has it been the practice of any Continental nation to do so. Unless and until such figures are disclosed by other countries, my noble Friend is of the opinion that it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose our own figures. I am, therefore, unable to add to the broad statement which I made in introducing Air. Estimates, namely, that we shall be ordering over 1,000 machines of all types in the course of the current financial year.