HC Deb 19 May 1954 vol 527 cc2065-6
5. Major Anstruther-Gray

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many of the Royal Air Force officers who attended the United States "Flash Burn" manoeuvres have now returned to this country in order to give a first-hand eyewitness account of the lessons learnt.

Mr. Ward

Two, Sir.

Major Anstruther-Gray

Has a programme of lectures been arranged for these officers to give to other Service officers so that the lessons may be promptly learnt?

Mr. Ward

These two officers will be reporting in the first place to the Commander-in-Chief Transport Command, to the School of Land/Air Warfare and to the Air Ministry. We shall study their reports very carefully and then they will be disseminated throughout the Service in the best possible way. There are various channels for doing so. There is a magazine, "Air Clues," which has a wide circulation, and we may also issue a special pamphlet. Then, on the medical side of the matter, there will be an article in the Quarterly Report of the Director-General of Medical Services.

Major Anstruther-Gray

Will my hon. Friend not overlook the value of a firsthand eye-witness account if the lecturer can give it properly?

Mr. Ward

Yes, I shall bear that in mind. Of course, the information which these officers will bring back is mainly of interest to Transport Command and to the School of Land Air Warfare, but I will certainly look into the point that my hon. and gallant Friend mentioned.