HC Deb 23 January 1957 vol 563 cc46-8W
86. Sir N. Hulbert

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will now make a statement on the future rôle of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

Mr. George Ward

As the House will know, the Government have, with the greatest possible regret, decided to disband the Fighter Squadrons, the Air Observation Post Squadrons, the Regiment Squadrons and nine of the thirty Fighter Control and Radar Reporting Units of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

The Auxiliary Fighter Squadrons are at present equipped with Meteors and Vampires, and their operational rôle is defence against air attack other than the high altitude threat. With the resources available to us it is not possible either to re-equip the squadrons with Hunters or to retain them any longer in their existing rôle except at the expense of regular units, a course which I am sure would be wrong. Similar considerations of priority apply to the Auxiliary A.O.P. and Regiment Squadrons.

Changes in the organisation and equipment of the Control and Reporting System have made it necessary to disband nine F.C.U.s and R.R.U.s. These units have been selected on geographical grounds. The remaining twenty-one continue to provide essential backing for the Control and Reporting System.

The record of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force has been an inspiration to the country, and the achievements of the Fighter Squadrons in the Battle of Britain and throughout the war will be remembered with pride and gratitude. I am sure that the House will join with me in paying tribute to the service rendered by all ranks of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and the fine spirit in which they have given it.

Captain Kerby

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the disbanding of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Fighter Squadrons, he is now satisfied that the Royal Air Force is no longer short of pilots, and if he will make a statement.

Mr. George Ward

The factors which have led us to disband the Fighter Squadrons of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force are summarised in the answer which I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport, North (Sir N. Hulbert). They do not affect the need of the Royal Air Force for regular pilots.

Captain Kerby

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many fully trained fighter pilots, and how many trained groundcrew will be lost to the country by the disbanding of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force fighter squadrons.

Mr. George Ward

Three hundred and twenty-five pilots and some two thousand ground personnel of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force will be affected by the disbandment of these squadrons. We hope that many of them will be willing to serve in other units.