§ 37 and 50. Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Defence (1) what study he is making of the overlapping between the Royal Air Force and the other Services in the supply, maintenance and operation of missiles;
(2) what study he is making of the overlapping between the Royal Air Force and the other Services in the supply, maintenance and operation of aircraft.
§ Mr. SandysI am not aware of any appreciable overlapping.
§ Mr. de FreitasWhilst I am delighted to hear that from the Minister, is it not a fact that if all three Services use similar missiles, in certain cases even identical missiles, there is at least a case now for amalgamation of the technical services involved?
§ Mr. SandysI do not quite understand what the hon. Gentleman is after, although I am glad he was delighted by my first reply. Missiles are supplied by a single Department, the Ministry of Supply, so there is no overlapping there. As regards maintenance, they are maintained to a very small extent, because they are highly technical, by the units which operate them. Where any major maintenance or repair is involved, the plan is that they shall be returned to the manufacturers.