HC Deb 11 February 1971 vol 811 cc775-6
18. Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Minister of State for Defence what future rôle he envisages for the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Antony Lambton)

I cannot add anything to the answers I gave my hon. Friend on 19th January, 29th January, and 4th February. Nor shall I be able to do so until the study on this subject is completed, which as I have told the hon. Gentleman, will take some months. I will inform him when the study is completed.—[Vol. 809, c. 264; Vol. 810, c.208;0 Vol. 810,c.430.]

Mr. Wilkinson

Is my hon. Friend aware that I welcome this statement, as I do all the others, because it gives me an opportunity to remind him that flexible response as a strategy demands augmentation of the front line for the air no less than the other arms, and that light attack and close support aircraft will be a valuable reinforcement of the strength of N.A.T.O. in Europe?

Mr. Lambton

I do not need reminding, since my hon. Friend leaves no occasion on which he does not do so.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Would the Minister not agree that it would be extremely foolish to spend money in this way for historic reasons when all the firm advice from the Air Staff for fifteen years has been that there is no need for this sort of extra commitment of the R.A.F.?

Mr. Lambton

We can only wait until we see to what conclusions the study comes.