HC Deb 24 July 1957 vol 574 cc392-3
5. Mr. J. E. B. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for War with what aircraft the Army Air Corps will be equipped for its various functions.

Mr. John Hare

For reconnaissance the Auster mark 6 and mark 9 are in use. A light helicopter, the Saunders Roe Skeeter mark 12, is expected to come into squadron service next year. We have not yet selected the aircraft to be used for liaison work.

6. Mr. J. E. B. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for War through what channels aircraft for the Army Air Corps will be supplied; and whose will be the responsibility for promoting the design and development of new aircraft for the Army Air Corps.

Mr. John Hare

Aircraft will be supplied through the Air Ministry. The procedure and responsibility for design and development have still to be decided.

Mr. Hill

While congratulating my right hon. Friend and the Secretary of State for Air on the formation of the Army Air Corps, as a sensible and practical decision, may I ask him to pay constant regard to the importance of having a first-class light aircraft which is simple to operate and to maintain in the field and which, above all, can be manufactured in quantities quickly and easily in the event of an emergency?

Mr. Hare

I can assure my hon. Friend that I listened very carefully to what he says because I know of the very considerable practical experience which he himself had during the last war.

Mr. Strachey

Is not the method of procurement of which the right hon. Gentleman has informed us rather alarming? The War Office will go to the Air Ministry, the Air Ministry in turn will go to the Ministry of Supply, and the Ministry of Supply in turn will go to the manufacturers. This seems to us an alarming prospect. Would the Secretary of State comment on that?

Mr. Hare

I think it would be wasteful to set up a separate ordering and storekeeping organisation. I think that the arguments prove that my contention is right.

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