§ 8. Captain Ryderasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the standard night-fighter aircraft now in squadron service; and what steps are being taken to replace this with a more modern type.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasThe naval night fighter at present in squadron service is the Sea Hornet Mark 21. It is to be replaced by the Sea Venom, the first squadron of which is planned to be formed towards the end of the present year.
§ Captain RyderIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that this aircraft is in fact a good fighter?
§ Mr. ThomasPerhaps my hon. and gallant Friend would await a fairly comprehensive statement that I propose to make on Naval Aviation during the debate on the Navy Estimates next week.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltIs my right hon. Friend aware that the situation whereby large numbers of Naval Aviation aircraft are partly out-dated before they have got into service will not be righted until the system by which those aircraft are produced from the drawing board is corrected?
§ Mr. ThomasMy hon. Friend will have to wait to hear what I have to say about the system on the Navy Estimates next week.