§ 44. Mr. Ian Harveyasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement with regard to the proposed adjustment of anti-aircraft resources in the United Kingdom.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for War (Mr. J. R. H. Hutchison)Yes, Sir. Following a recent review of the air defence organisation, it has been decided to undertake some reorganisation and reduction in the number of heavy antiaircraft units of Anti-Aircraft Command and, at the same time, to make some increases in the anti-aircraft units in the Field Force. This reorganisation will involve the transfer of some Territorial Army units to the Field Force in an antiaircraft rôle, the conversion of one or two units to medium artillery and the amalgamation of certain other units which are very low in strength.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyIn view of the principles governing this adjustment, will my hon. Friend now consider an early transfer of the whole of the anti-aircraft defence to the control of the R.A.F. in this country?
§ Mr. HutchisonThat is another and far bigger question, but I should like to take this chance of pointing out that this reorganisation does not in any way affect the importance of the rôle which Anti-Aircraft Command has to play in the air defence system.
§ Mr. SnowBut since the rôle is likely in future to be more and more bound up with the responsibilities of the Royal Air Force, in view of the considerable period since the announcement was made about 1568 new types of equipment, is not now the very time to carry out the change and get R.A.F. personnel accustomed to using the new types of equipment and, more especially, to providing instruction to new units?
§ Mr. HutchisonThe matter has been considered but this is not thought to be the time to make so drastic a change.
§ Mr. HarveyI beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.