HC Deb 08 July 1942 vol 381 cc749-50
13. Mr. Purbrick

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production how many dive bombers were ordered from America in 1940, and when; and were they merely a sample lot for testing and trying-out purposes, or were they to be looked upon as a fighting unit?

Colonel Llewellin

Dive bombers were ordered from America at various dates in 1940 beginning with July of that year. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the number ordered, but I can assure my hon. Friend that these aircraft were ordered in sufficient quantities for operational use.