HC Deb 20 February 1957 vol 565 c426
37. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent a five-day week is worked at operational units in the Armed Services.

Mr. Sandys

The state of operational readiness varies with the nature of the unit, its location and the current international situation.

Mr. de Freitas

While that may well be true, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the disclosure made by the Secretary of State for Air that, despite the enormous expenditure on Fighter Command, operational fighter stations work only a five-day week?

Mr. Sandys

I think that the hon. hon. Gentleman misunderstood my right hon. Friend's statement.

Mr. de Freitas

If I misunderstood him my misunderstanding was shared by many hon. Members.

Mr. Sandys

I have no doubt that even more understood him correctly.

Mr. Osborne

Will my right hon. Friend give warning to all possible enemies of this country that it would be a cad's trick to attack us at weekends when we are neither prepared to work nor to fight?