§ 28. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for Air whether in view of the deficiencies in the strength of the R.A.F., he will consider following the practice of the Canadian and United States Governments by handing over part of the air survey work to civil air survey companies and thus releasing officers and men of the R.A.F. for warlike purposes.
§ Mr. de FreitasThe four photographic reconnaissance squadrons of the Royal Air Force employed on air survey work for the civil departments would be required in war for photographic intelligence and survey duties and the work they are doing provides them with valuable peace-time training.
§ Mr. KeelingWhile there is very great pressure on the Royal Air Force owing to the requirements of the Berlin air lift, may I ask whether the Air Ministry will not again consider whether they could not call in aid the civil air survey companies for colonial service, so as to relieve the Royal Air Force?
§ Mr. de FreitasA balanced air force requires a certain proportion of photographic squadrons. It would certainly not strengthen the Royal Air Force to turn those squadrons into fighting or transport squadrons. On the second point, the civil Departments are perfectly free to employ private firms if they wish to, but find the R.A.F. is cheaper, more convenient and more efficient.
§ Wing-Commander HulbertDo the Air Force photographic squadrons compete with the civil survey companies for these jobs?
§ Mr. de FreitasI do not know about competition. We are asked by certain civil Departments to undertake this work, and we do so.