§ 4. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the appeal for volunteers for the defence of Royal Air Force aerodromes indicates any alteration in the present system or in responsibility; to what extent the work is undertaken, respectively, by Army and Royal Air Force personnel, and under whose command; and whether he is satisfied that, in the light of recent events, all possible steps have now been taken to repel airborne enemy attacks?
Captain BalfourNo, Sir. There has been no recent change of policy in this matter. With regard to the second and third parts of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger).
§ Mr. ManderDoes it not follow from the recent appeal that there are, in effect, two bodies, one belonging to the Army and the other to the Royal Air Force, both engaged in some manner in the defence of aerodromes?
Captain BalfourIt also follows from the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister that it would not be in the public interest or expedient to go into these detailed matters except in Secret Session, and the Prime Minister also said that he was satisfied that a clear-cut decision had been reached in connection with the arrangements.
§ Mr. ManderWould it not be very much better to have one authority responsible for dealing with aerodromes, and not two?
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxSurely it is possible to ask who is definitely responsible, the Army or the Air Force?
Captain BalfourAs my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said yesterday, the prime responsibility rests with the Secretary of State for War.