§ Mr. PERKINSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total number of regular Royal Air Force squadrons 830W stationed at home; the total number of regular squadrons stationed abroad; and the reasons for maintaining any large number abroad?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is 39 and 23 squadrons respectively, excluding the equivalent of 13½ squadrons in the Fleet Air Arm. The last part of the question cannot adequately be answered within the limits of a Parliamentary reply, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that the number of squadrons stationed overseas is the minimum required for the purposes of defence.