HC Deb 19 July 1950 vol 477 cc2239-40
14. Air Commodore Harvey

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps are being taken to increase the strength of Coastal Command, in view of the increasing difficulty of detecting and destroying enemy submarines.

Mr. A. Henderson

Re-equipment of Coastal Command squadrons with Shackletons and Hastings is beginning this year. We are planning a substantial expansion of the command, but it would not be in the public interest for me to give details.

Air Commodore Harvey

is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there is great concern in the country at the exceedingly small number of operational flying boats in the Royal Air Force? Will he treat this with the utmost priority with his colleagues and get something moving very quickly?

Mr. Henderson

We are already doing that.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman's difficulty in answering this and the previous Question, indicate how essential it is that the Government should accede to the demand of the Opposition for a Debate in secret Session on defence.

Mr. Speaker

That has nothing to do with this Question.