§ 34. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Minister of Defence the estimated front-line aircraft strength of the Soviet Air Force: and the estimated reduction in aircraft following the announced reduction of three aircraft divisions.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe front-line aircraft strength of the Soviet Air Forces is estimated to be about 20,000. A reduction by three aircraft divisions might amount to about 300 aircraft.
§ Mr. HendersonCould the Minister state the relative front-line strength of fighters and bombers and state to what extent the proposed reduction refers to those two categories of planes?
§ Sir W. MoncktonIt has never been the practice, on security grounds, to sub-divide the total by types of aircraft, and I should not like to depart from that.