§ 7. Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Defence what reduction in the holdings of components and spare parts for naval, military and air force equipment has been achieved by the increased use of rapid carriage to overseas units by air instead of by surface transport.
§ Mr. SandysI am afraid that statistics do not show to what extent reductions in holdings can be attributed to the use of air transport.
§ Mr. de FreitasIs not it important that there should be some figures to show this, because is it not a fact that other armies and air forces have found that there have been considerable savings in stockholding by the use of air instead of surface transport?
§ Mr. SandysWe are doing what we can, but one must not exaggerate the savings that can be obtained by this method. If we carry it too far, we will find that it will cost a great deal more.
§ Mr. BeswickHow does the Minister know that it will cost a great deal more, if he has no figures? Is he not trying to collate some information and statistics about this matter?
§ Mr. SandysAll I know is that there comes a point where it is cheaper to keep more stores on the ground than to carry them around in the air.