§ 2.41 p.m.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy 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 by what percentage have the petrol supplies to the R.A.F. for training purposes been reduced, and could not this type of flying be curtailed in order to make available more petrol for the essential civilian services of the country.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (THE EARL OF GOSFORD)My Lords, for the next four months the Royal Air Force is to reduce its intake of aviation fuel by about 30 per cent. This saving will be made possible partly by reducing stocks and partly by a 10 per cent. reduction in aviation fuel consumption by all Commands at home. The reduction in flying will be made by cutting out less essential tasks. The operational effectiveness of the force will not be materially affected. My right honourable friend does not consider that any further reduction in flying training, which might result in an unacceptable lowering of aircrew standards, is justified at present. The situation will be kept under review.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords. may I thank the noble Earl for the sympathetic nature of his reply and ask him whether the cut which he has just mentioned is in force at this moment, or, if not, when it will become operative? Will the noble Earl also inform the House whether a similar, and perhaps an even greater, cut could be made in the road transport of the Royal Air Force? And would the noble Earl not agree with me that if there is one thing that will incense the public opinion of this country more than any other it is any wastage of petrol by the Services at the expense of the civilian population?
THE EARL, OF GOSFORDMy Lords, in answer to the noble Lord's supplementary question, I may say that the cuts which I mentioned became effective in the Royal Air Force as from December 1. As regards road transport vehicles of the Royal Air Force, which are not the subject of the original Question, I am in a 717 position to inform the noble Lord that at the moment there is a 10 per cent. cut and this is coming under review shortly. With regard to the noble Lord's last question on wastage, I can assure him that the Services are fully aware that all steps should he taken to avoid any possible wastage of fuel.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, I am sure that all who are interested will be grateful to the noble Earl for the sympathetic nature of what he has had to say.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, I do not know whether I have heard the noble Earl aright. Did he say that one of the measures which are being taken by the Royal Air Force is a reduction in the stocks of fuel? If so, did the noble Earl mean that the reserve stocks of fuel for the Royal Air Force in this country are being reduced, and is he quite sure, if that is so, that that is a thoroughly safe proceeding in the present circumstances?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, the statement attributed to— that a certain percentage of the reduction in intake will be achieved by reducing stocks in hand—is correct. My right honourable friend is perfectly satisfied that stocks will not be reduced to a level which will in any way endanger the operation of the Royal Air Force.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, could the House have an assurance that in no circumstances will stocks be reduced below the proper strategic reserve?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, I will bring the remarks of the noble Viscount, Lord Alexander of Hillsborough, to the attention of my right honourable friend.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, reverting to the Question on the Order Paper, may I ask the noble Earl whether he is aware that any suggestion of selecting Royal Air Force training for the purpose of particular economies would he regretted and would cause grievous misgivings both inside and outside your Lordships' House?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, I am grateful for the noble Lord's remarks, I am sure will be my right honourable friend.