§ 41. Mr. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has completed planning the manpower required for the maintenance and operation of Blue Streak and other missiles.
Mr. WardThe first six of the new trades required have already been introduced, and personnel establishments for the operation and servicing of certain of the earlier missiles have been laid down. The detailed manpower requirement for Blue Streak will, of course, be easier to assess when we have some experience of Thor.
§ Mr. de FreitasIs it not clear already that the trades and skills required for this operation and maintenance are so different from those of the conventional Air Force units that consideration should be given to recasting the traditional organisation of squadrons, wings and groups?
Mr. WardI think I am right in saying that the hon. Member's next Question covers that point, but on the training side, of course, we have invited airmen from the aircraft, armament, electrical and radio engineering trades to volunteer for these new trades, and they are coming forward in large numbers.
§ 43. Mr. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the unusual manning requirements for the operation and maintenance of missiles, he has considered adopting the type of organisation which was used in such forces as Anti-Aircraft Command and Balloon Command.
Mr. WardThis form of organisation would not meet our concept of a future war. The degree of readiness which any missile unit, either deterrent or defensive, has to attain is so high that we could not rely on the part-time service, however skilled or devoted, on which Anti-Aircraft and Balloon Commands were founded.