13. Air Commodore Harveyasked the Secretary of State for Air what information he has on the relative performance 316 figures of the operational jet aircraft of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United States of America and this country.
§ Mr. A. HendersonI am assuming that the hon. and gallant Member's Question refers to the latest types of operational jet aircraft. So far as the R.A.F. and the U.S.A.F. are concerned the performance figures of these types are secret. I have no official performance figures for the latest types of Russian jet fighters. We have, however, an R.A.F. officer as a special observer in Korea and we hope to get more definite information about the performance of Russian jet aircraft from this source.
Air Commodore HarveyWhen the right hon. and learned Gentleman has the information, which I hope will be soon, will he tell the House, in a suitable debate, how the Russians are progressing with jet aircraft in design and performance?
§ Mr. HendersonI will certainly give sympathetic consideration as to whether I can tell the House the contents of these reports.
Mr. Charles Ian Orr-EwingIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that Russian twin jet bombers and four jet bombers were photographed while flying in 1948? Is it not, therefore, extremely important that we should press on with the matter, and will the Minister now dedigitate?
§ Mr. HendersonI am not prepared to accept the premises of that question. I have not received any information that operational twin and four jet engine bombers are in service with the Russian Air Force.