§ 1. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Secretary of State for Air what types of aircraft are used by the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve; and what types will be introduced in the future.
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Arthur Henderson)Tiger Moth and Anson aircraft are being used by the 942 R.A.F.V.R. The Tiger Moth will be replaced by the Chipmunk, but there is no present intention of changing the Anson, which is used to train signallers and navigators.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider this satisfactory and will he try to give these men Service types of aircraft, even though they are loaned from regular units, for week-end training, so that they may be trained for defence?
§ Mr. HendersonAs I have indicated, it is our intention to move over to Chipmunks, but I must remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the great majority of the pilots of this country, who are second to none in their quality, were trained originally in the machines to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has referred.
§ Wing-Commander MillingtonWould my right hon. and learned Friend say whether it is the intention of the Government to put at the disposal of Reserve Command operational aircraft so that it will be in a position to train men for the defence of this country? Surely, it is not satisfactory for us to contemplate being defended by Chipmunks?
§ Mr. HendersonNo, Sir. What I said was that the training would take place in the Chipmunk instead of the Tiger Moth, as at present, but that does not mean that the Tiger Moth is an inferior machine.