§ 22. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what steps are to be taken to co-ordinate the respective operational responsibilities of the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy and Anti-Aircraft Command for the ground to air defence of the United Kingdom, following the advent of the ground-to-air guided missile.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence (Mr. Nigel Birch)These new weapons will be operated within the existing system of air defence.
§ Mr. HendersonDoes that reply mean that Anti-Aircraft Command will continue to be the responsibility of the War Office but that in time of emergency operational responsibility for ground-to-air defence will continue to vest in the commander-in-chief of Fighter Command?
§ Mr. BirchThe system at the moment is that operationally C.-in-C. Fighter Command is responsible both for Fighter Command and for Anti-Aircraft Command guns and for the fire of ships in harbour. The ground-to-air guided missile, being a cross between an antiaircraft shell and a fighter, naturally falls under the same system.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIs not it true that in spite of the enormous sums spent on the Air Force since the war there is no real defence against these guided missiles, especially rockets?
§ Mr. BirchWe are talking about ground-to-air guided missiles, which are a very good defence against aircraft.