§ 44. Mr. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has yet decided what types of transport aircraft are to be ordered for the Royal Air Force.
§ Mr. de FreitasIs not this continued delay having a very sad effect not only on the industry itself but also on the whole future of transport for the Armed Forces? Will not the Minister look at this matter as one of urgency?
Mr. WardWe are looking at it as a matter of urgency, and we are going ahead as quickly as we can. Our existing transport force can do what it was designed to do, and it meets the current requirements. The study we are making is a long-term study directed to the future requirements, and its scope is very far-reaching. We cannot rush it, because what we determine now will be the way in which we meet our overseas requirements for many years to come.