§ Mr. WELLOCKasked the Secretary of State for Air whether any, and, if so, how many, bombing or other squadrons have been despatched to the Indian North-West frontier during recent months; the date on which they were sent; and for what purpose?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have been asked to reply. Two additional squadrons equipped with general purpose aircraft left for India on 29th December last, in accordance with the decision taken in May, 1927, to which I referred in the House last Thursday. These squadrons are now on their way to the North-West Frontier Province. No other movements of squadrons have taken place in India, except for the machines actually concerned in the evacuations from Kabul. The object of increasing the strength of the Air Force in India, from six to eight squadrons was to keep the Indian defence organisation abreast of modern developments, in view of the growing recognition in all countries of the importance of air-croft.