Captain BENNasked the Secretary of State for Air, under the new British programme when complete, what will be the total strength of the British Air Force in the following branches: Home defence force, co-operation with the Army, co-operation with the Navy, force in Constantinople, force in Egypt and Palestine, force in Iraq, and force in India?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe new programme provides for a total allotment on its completion of 52 squadrons for home defence. As regards the allocation of squadrons for the other purposes specified in the question, it is not practicable to anticipate what changes in distribution are likely to be required before the new home defence programme is completed, but the service squadrons provided in the present year's Estimates comprise (in addition to home defence squadrons) eight squadrons for the Navy; two for Army co-operation; eight in Iraq; six in India; four in Egypt and Palestine, and three squadrons in reserve and for communications. These numbers include four squadrons which have been temporarily diverted to Constantinople from their normal stations. I must, however, add that the question of the Air Force co-operating with the Navy and the Army is still under the consideration of the National Defence Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, and that the figures that I have given must be subject to the decision of the Cabinet in connection with the Committee's Report.