HC Deb 07 February 1951 vol 483 cc1711-2
11. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is his policy with respect to the re-equipment of the Royal Air Force with high performance jet fighter aircraft; what steps have been taken to implement it; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. A. Henderson

My policy is to re-equip the fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force as soon as possible with the most modern types of jet fighter aircraft. For this purpose orders have been placed for very large numbers of fighter aircraft of higher performance than those in service with the Royal Air Force today. In addition, as I stated last week, a proposal to obtain F86 aircraft is under examination. I intend to make a fuller statement on this subject during the debate on Air Estimates.

Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

Is it not a fact that the major portion of such aircraft as are ordered are not likely to be in service for some years and that meanwhile our Auxiliary fighter squadrons remain at half strength? Is this not an excuse for having to buy American aircraft, and does it not show a great lack of care for the fighter defences of this country?

Mr. Henderson

No, Sir. That is a rather mixed supplementary but I will try to disentangle it. The most advanced types to which the hon. and gallant Member referred will be available long before "some years." It is not the case that the Auxiliary Air Force squadrons are at half strength. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"] No, they are working on a fixed establishment. The strength of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, as regards pilots, is over 90 per cent., and as regards ground crews, over 60 per cent. As regards American aircraft, there is no reflection upon the Air Ministry, because, as the hon. and gallant Member knows quite well, the development of aircraft is something in the nature of a leapfrog process. It is considered at the moment that the American F86 is the fastest aeroplane in the world in level flight, whereas a year or more ago machines used by the R.A.F. were the fastest.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

Does the policy regarding high performance jet aircraft also include a project for a fast, long-range, large bomber?

Mr. Henderson

I think that the Prime Minister's statement indicated that orders have now been placed for a long-distance, high-altitude, four-jet-engined bomber.