68. Mr. V. Adamsasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many first-line machines in the Royal Air Force are equipped with an efficient direction-finding or homing device; and whether our development in this respect is comparable with the standards achieved in the air forces of other great Powers?
§ Earl WintertonAll first-line aircraft in the Royal Air Force are equipped with facilities for obtaining efficient direction-finding and homing services. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Earl WintertonThere is about to come into production an even more efficient instrument than the present one, but I prefer, for reasons of public interest, not to go into details about it.
§ Mr. KirkwoodMay I be permitted to put this point? It has been put to us this morning that the shadow factories and other factories are going on with work that is two years out of date?
§ Earl WintertonI think the hon. Gentleman is referring to the previous question. This question deals with direction-finding and homing.
Mr. V. AdamsIs it not a matter of very serious public interest that gallant and precious lives should be exposed to great danger owing to lack of efficient instruments?
§ Earl WintertonI cannot accept that suggestion. This is a serious matter and I said in reply to the question that all first-line aircraft were equipped with facilities for obtaining direction-finding and homing services.