§ 26. Mr. SIMMONDSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total number of first-line aircraft of the Royal Air Force, excluding the Fleet air arm, which 2117 will be available for imperial defence, excluding home defence, when the 12 new squadrons provided for in the current Air Estimates have been equipped?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe answer is approximately 430.
§ Mr. SIMMONDSIn view of this very slender number of aircraft, will my right hon. Friend say whether the total has been considered in the light of the present state of the world; and, if not, whether His Majesty's Government are relying for the defence of the Empire on denuding this country of aircraft as was done in the case of the Italo-Abyssinian dispute?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI would require notice of that question.
§ Mr. MONTAGUECan the right hon. Gentleman say what relation these figures have to the numbers in reserve and in training units?
§ Sir P. SASSOONNot without notice.