5. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Air what progress he has made in his negotiations for the purchase of North American F86 Sabre jet fighter aircraft for the Royal Air Force.
§ Mr. A. HendersonThe question of the supply of F86 aircraft to the Royal Air Force under the Mutual Defence Assistance Programme is still under discussion with the United States Government. I am unable to say when the discussions will be finalised.
Surgeon Lieut.-Commander BennettWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman finalise these discussions as fast as he possibly can, because of the present lack of suitable British fighters in the Royal Air Force?
§ Mr. HendersonYes, Sir, but this concerns another Government besides our own.
§ Mr. SnowDoes my right hon. and learned Friend's answer mean that the advanced types demonstrated at Hendon last year are not yet in production?
§ Mr. HendersonNo, Sir. That is quite a different thing.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman finalise his use of the word "finalise"?