§ 33. Mr. Sidney Shephardasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the comparative figures of the strength of Bomber Command Headquarters at the height of the bomber offensive and at the present time.
§ Mr. StracheyThe strength of Bomber Command headquarters at 1st April, 1945, was 1,622 Royal Air Force and Women's Auxiliary Air Force personnel of all ranks. The strength on 1st November was 1,534, but this includes nearly 500 men and women of all ranks who are primarily lodgers making temporary use of this good Service accommodation. The number of those who are anything but lodgers will now fall more rapidly.
§ Mr. ShephardIn view of the fact that the operational role of Bomber Command is now finished, is not the Minister rather disturbed by the figures he has given of the present-day strength?
§ Mr. StracheyHas the hon. Member noticed that there is an additional 500 drop in the force employed at headquarters? They are merely accommo- 1267 dating people doing other work, or rather units, in these headquarters.
§ Sir Harold WebbeCould not these lodgings be used for civilians rather than for R.A.F. personnel?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir, because it enables other civilian lodgings in the country to be vacated if these people are brought in.
§ Sir W. WakefieldCould the Under-Secretary say what all these people—not only the lodgers—are doing?
§ Mr. StracheyBomber Command is very actively engaged in the trooping programme.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyWill the Under-Secretary state if the figure he has given includes supernumerary personnel at Bomber Command headquarters?
§ Mr. StracheyI should need notice of that.