§ 12. Major Tufton Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Air what advice he has given to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs regarding the withdrawal of air attachés from foreign countries; in which countries air attachés are still maintained; and from which countries attachés have been withdrawn.
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Arthur Henderson)As the answer contains a number of details, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Major BeamishMay I ask the Minister on what grounds he advised the Foreign Secretary to withdraw our air attaché from Madrid recently, and will he say by whom the Royal Air Force is represented in Spain and whether he is satisfied with that representation?
§ Mr. HendersonI have examined the whole question of air attachés in the interests of economy and two air attachés have been withdrawn; two more are being withdrawn, and in addition I have withdrawn seven assistant air attachés. As regards the representation in Madrid, we are now in discussion with the Foreign Office as to the best method.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman assure the House that where air attachés or assistant air attachés are still in foreign countries, they have aircraft to move around in, and to advertise British goods.
§ Mr. HendersonThat is another question.
§ Following is the answer:
§ I have, in the interests of economy, been reviewing all our air attaché appointments abroad. Before taking a decision in any particular case I consult my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The places in which air attachés are maintained are listed in column 260 of the Air Force List, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
§ Since January, 1948, air attachés and assistant air attachés have been withdrawn as follow:
2001| Capital | Air Attaché | Assistant Air Attaché |
| Ankara (Turkey) | — | 1 Wing Commander |
| Bogota (Colombia) | 1 Group Captain | — |
| Budapest (Hungary) | — | 1 Squadron Leader |
| Buenos Aires (Argentine) | — | 1 Squadron Leader |
| Madrid (Spain) | 1 Wing Commander | — |
| Prague (Czechoslovakia) | — | 1 Squadron Leader |
| Rome (Italy) | — | 1 Squadron Leader |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | — | 1 Squadron Leader |
| Washington (U.S.A.) | — | 1 Squadron Leader |
§ In addition it has been decided to withdraw the following air attachés:
| Capital | Air Attaché | |
| Dublin (Irish Republic | … | 1 Wing Commander |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | … | 1 Wing Commander |