HC Deb 22 July 1953 vol 518 cc377-8
51. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the return, by the Royal Air Force, of B.29's, Washingtons, to the United States Air Force, and their replacement by Canberras.

Mr. Ward

Washington aircraft were supplied under the Mutual Defence Assistance programme at a time when the only British bomber available was the Lincoln. During the next 18 months all our Washington bomber squadrons will be re-equipped with Canberras and the Washingtons are being returned to the United States as they become available.

Mr. Henderson

Does the reply indicate that the Canberra is to be reclassified as a medium bomber, or that the medium bomber squadrons of Bomber Command are to be restricted to Lincolns?

Mr. Ward

It certainly does not mean that the Canberra is to be reclassified as a medium bomber. All it means is that squadrons at present equipped with Washingtons will become light bomber squadrons.