§ LORD DOWDINGMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have considered, or will consider, the addition of two or more helicopters to the establishment of the Royal Air Force in the Suez Canal Zone for the primary purpose of desert rescue operations.]
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR AIR (LORD DE L'ISLE AND DUDLEY)My Lords, the Royal Air Force intend to form a flight of helicopters in the Middle East Air Force to back up the aircraft already available there for search and rescue. The first helicopter should be available by the end of this year, and two more will be added next year. Their disposition within the Middle East will be decided by the Commander-in-Chief at the time, but they are expected to be of the greatest value in the Canal Zone, Jordan and Aden areas.