HC Deb 25 June 1958 vol 590 cc400-1
11. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will make a statement on the recent airlift to Cyprus.

Mr. Sandys

About 6,000 men and about 200,000 lb. of freight were transported from Britain to Cyprus in Hastings, Comet, Beverley and Shackleton aircraft of the Royal Air Force. The movement was carried out with commendable efficiency by all concerned.

Mr. de Freitas

Does not the operation show clearly that there is a grave lack of transport freight aircraft for such an operation? Is it not now time to let the Air Ministry consider the purchase of additional freight transport aircraft to enable it to do the job which is imposed upon it by Government strategy?

Mr. Sandys

I think that for the operation which was carried out the aircraft proved most adequate. I should like to emphasise that the operation was not carried out at maximum speed. That was not necessary. It was thought right to give the troops reasonable warning to make their private arrangements before they left. It was not necessary to transport large quantities of freight to Cyprus. One of the elements in our policy, as I have explained to the House, is to keep stocks of heavy equipment in various theatres where they can be available and need be transported only the short distances which are necessary within the theatre.

Mr. Bellenger

Were any of these troops, who, I take it, were part of the strategic reserve, moved by civil aircraft, as was reported in the newspapers? Is the Minister satisfied that in time of emergency, much more urgent than that which caused these troops to be sent to Cyprus, he has sufficient aircraft to make the move quickly?

Mr. Sandys

I should like to check it, but I think I am correct in saying that no civil charter aircraft were used for this move. Replying to the general question, of course I should like to have a larger Transport Command to carry out reinforcements. That is why we have ordered twenty Britannia aircraft. When they are received it will greatly increase the airlift of Transport Command. As the strength of the Army goes down, the carrying capacity of Transport Command will be going up.