§ 33. Mr. J. Langford-Holtasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what time has elapsed between the issue of first staff requirements and the equip ping of the first Fleet Air Arm Squadron with the last three new types of aircraft accepted by his Department.
§ The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. James Callaghan)Five, 4½ and 5 years approximately.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltIs the hon. Gentleman's mind not disturbed by the length of time it is taking these aircraft to get into service from the drawing board?
§ Mr. CallaghanTo the layman it seems long, but I am told that our aircraft are not out of line with any others in this matter of production.
§ 34. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when it is anticipated that the GR 17/44 aircraft for which the staff requirement was issued in December 1945 will come into service.
§ Mr. CallaghanI regret it would not be in the public interest to disclose this information, but the House can rest assured that all practicable steps will be taken to ensure that the G.R. 17 will come into service at the earliest possible date.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltWould not the hon. Gentleman agree that an aircraft which 1812 was conceived in 1944 and came into service this year was out of line with the answer which he has given to the previous Question? Will he not seriously consider holding an inquiry, with the Ministry of Supply, into the whole question of aircraft production?
§ Mr. CallaghanI am quite ready to look into those matters, but I think the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the weight of aircraft production is on the R.A.F.