§ 60. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is the intention of the Government to 1882 maintain the present distribution of the Royal Air Force Reserve Training Centres under which 31 such centres are established or about to be established in England and only two in Scotland; and whether, in view of the Government's declaration that no part of the country is now immune from air attack, he will consider rapidly increasing the number of centres in Scotland?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe question of increasing the number of training centres in Scotland for the Royal Air Force Reserve will not arise unless the resources of the two which are being provided prove to be inadequate. As regards the second part of the question, I would point out that these centres have no operational function, but are used for the training of reserve personnel for the Air Force as a whole.
Mr. StewartHow does the hon. and gallant Member justify this unusual distribution as between Scotland and England, especially in view of the considerable population round about Clyde-side and elsewhere from which pilots could be drawn?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe hon. Member will recognise that there are considerable areas both in England and Scotland from which pilots could be drawn where, under present arrangements, no volunteer reserve stations have been set up.
§ Mr. MathersIs the Minister aware that his further answers add still more to the apprehensions of people in the area about its defence?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI might point out to the hon. Member——
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Montague.