HC Deb 05 November 1958 vol 594 c921
9. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Air to what extent the statement by the Chief of the Air Staff on the subject of Formosa made in Sheffield on 8th September represents Government policy.

Mr. Ward

The Chief of the Air Staff made no statement about policy towards Formosa.

Mr. Rankin

Is the Minister aware that, according to the Daily Telegraph of 9th September, the Air Chief Marshal is reported as saying: We are confident that we could destroy Russia tomorrow. Will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the pronoun "we" does not include the Secretary of State for Air? Does not he think it proper that Sir Dermot should be advised that his job is to defend us against our enemies, and not to try to create more of them?

Mr. Ward

That supplementary question seems to be a little wide of the original Question, which dealt with policy towards Formosa. In any case, the Chief of the Air Staff certainly said no more about the power of the West than has been said on many occasions by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence.