HC Deb 19 July 1961 vol 644 cc1224-6
24. Mr. Mulley

asked the Secretary of State for Air to what extent the resources of Transport Command have been utilised on the airlift to Kuwait; and if he will make a statement.

27. Mr. John Hall

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many aircraft of the Royal Air Force Transport Command, transports of the Royal Rhodesian Air Force and civilian charter aircraft, respectively, were used in the first six days of the Kuwait operation; and what was the total number of men and tonnage of stores moved.

Mr. Amery

Some seventy Royal Air Force Transport aircraft were used, most of them within the first forty-eight hours.

In addition three Royal Rhodesian Air Force transport aircraft and seventeen chartered civil aircraft were used in the first six days of the Kuwait operation.

About 7,000 men and about 700 tons of stores were moved to airfields in the Persian Gulf and Aden.

The speed and efficiency with which this operation was carried out are in great measure the result of intensive and combined training of the Army and the Royal Air Force in the movement of troops and equipment by air.

Mr. Mulley

Will the Minister be good enough to convey our congratulations to the men and officers concerned? Nevertheless, is he satisfied, as a result of the Kuwait operation, that a most serious shortage of transport aircraft has not been disclosed, and that if the Kuwait incident had occurred at a spot less well placed to one of our bases we would not have been in great difficulties? Is he doing something more to obtain additional transport aircraft—especially a long-range strategic freighter?

Mr. Amery

I thank the hon. Member for his congratulations, and I will see that what has been said in the House is passed on to the forces concerned. As the House knows, in the Estimates debate we explained our plans for the strengthening of Transport Command. We are certainly not satisfied with the strength that we have today, and we mean to see that it is built up. At the same time, the operation showed that we were able, within our resources and without cutting down other essential tasks. to do the job in hand.

Mr. John Hall

I join with the hon. Member for Sheffield, Park (Mr. Mulley) in congratulating those responsible for the organisation of this air lift. Nevertheless, is it not apparent from this operation that Transport Command is stretched to the utmost, and that if another operation had been necessary at about the same time we should have found it very difficult to meet the commitment? In that case, would it not be advisable to hasten the development of further types of transport aircraft, especially a strategic, long-distance aircraft, as the hon. Member for Sheffield, Park said?

Mr. Amery

I am all for hastening the development of these aircraft as soon as possible, but I do not think that it is proper to say that we were stretched to the limit. Throughout the operation we continued to run the routine airlift that had been going on of Ghana and Nigerian forces into the Congo. A number of aircraft were carrying out routine transport tasks elsewhere in the world, and within six days of the beginning of the operation we were carrying out what was, in effect, a distinct operation, namely, the reinforcement of Kenya with elements of the 19th Brigade.

Mr. Wigg

Would it not help the House to understand and get this problem into perspective if the Minister told the House the time and hour at which this operation began?

Mr. Amery

That is a separate question. If the hon. Member wants an answer, perhaps he will put it down.

Mr. McMaster

In view of the need shown by the operation in Kuwait for a long-range freighter, will my right hon. Friend consider increasing the order for the Belfast long-range freighter?

Mr. Amery

I pay tribute to the strong local feeling that animates my hon. Friend. We are looking forward to having the Belfast as soon as possible.