HC Deb 03 June 1959 vol 606 cc190-1
38. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Minister of Defence what are the factors which determine whether an aircraft is to be operated by the Royal Air Force or the Army.

Mr. Sandys

The main factors are the rôle of the aircraft and the avoidance of duplication.

Mr. de Freitas

We welcome the Minister's reference to the avoidance of duplication, but is he aware that many of us who supported him in the handing over of maintenance and operation from the Royal Air Force to the Army of very light aircraft such as the Auster are very worried by the Army's empire-building policy, which the right hon. Gentleman appears to encourage, of getting bigger aircraft, which policy may result in a third military air force being created, with considerable waste?

Mr. Sandys

I am glad that we are agreed that we should try to avoid duplication. Certain compromises always have to be made in these matters. Nothing is quite clear. One cannot lay down a precise rule of thumb. At present, the limit is an overall weight of 4,000 lb., and it may be necessary to revise that if aircraft particularly suitable for the Army, but of heavier weight, come into production. But at the moment that is, broadly, the limitation that we have placed.

Mr. de Freitas

But does not the Minister realise that if he goes above such a limit he is leading directly into this wasteful duplication which, in the earlier part of his reply, he said that he was trying to avoid?

Mr. Sandys

I am not saying that we shall do that. I am saying that there is a tendency all the time for aircraft to get heavier and, therefore, the same type of aircraft for the same rôle is liable to be heavier as time goes on, and that that is a matter that will have to be taken into account.