§ 13. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can give the date on which orders for dive-bombers were given; is he satisfied that adequate supplies of dive-bombers will be provided within a reasonable time; and can he make a statement on the Air Ministry's policy on dive-bombers and torpedo-carrying aircraft?
§ Sir A. SinclairAs I informed my hon. Friend on 20th May last, dive-bombers were ordered in July, 1940. As to the second part of the Question, I can only say that Squadrons of the Royal Air Force will be equipped with dive-bombers as soon as they are received from the United States of America. With regard to the last part I cannot usefully add to the statements which I made in introducing the Air Estimates and in replying to the Debate on that occasion.
§ Mr. SmithCan the Minister state how he reconciles that reply with the statement made by the Minister of Aircraft Production on 10th July, 1941, that up to that date he had not received any orders to provide the Air Force with dive-bombers; and can he also reply to the question whether the Air Force, the Army and the Navy will be provided with adequate dive-bombers within a reasonable time?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe Minister of Aircraft Production assures me that there must be some mistake about that statement, which I cannot recollect myself. At any rate, I am not responsible for what the Minister of Aircraft Production said in July, 1941. I can only tell my hon. Friend the facts as I know them and as I have given them.
§ Mr. SmithIt is here in the OFFICIAL REPORT, and, therefore, I want to ask whether there should not be an inquiry as to who is responsible for this serious position with regard to the provision of dive-bombers and torpedo-carrying aeroplanes?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe answer to that question is, as I have told my hon. Friend more than once and as my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Aircraft Production has told the House more than 1033 once, that dive-bombers were in fact ordered in July, 1940.