AIR ARM. (Hansard, 13 April 1938)

§ Captain Plugge
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the proposed extension of the Naval Air Arm, it will be possible to establish any training or other depot in the vicinity of Chatham?

Mr. Cooper
The establishment of a training or other form of depot at Chatham for the Fleet Air Arm is not at present contemplated. Certain naval officers and ratings will, however, shortly receive their initial flying training at a newly established elementary flying school in the vicinity of Chatham.

§ Captain Plugge
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what progress has been made during the past six months in transferring the Naval Air Arm entirely to naval control; what has been the increase in the number of naval personnel in the air arm during this period; and what is the total number which it now comprises?

Mr. Cooper
With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary when introducing the Navy Estimates on 17th March. Since that date, satisfactory progress has been made but it would be misleading to quote figures in reply to the second and third parts of the question, as the increase of Naval personnel in the Air Arm is in the initial stages of selection and training. I may add that the reports so far received from the selection committee on the types of candidates coming forward for entry into the Naval Air Branch are most encouraging.

§ Captain Plugge
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in connection with the proposed extension of the Fleet Air Arm, it is proposed that this arm should take over any responsibility for coastal patrol work?

Mr. Cooper
As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated in reply to the right hon. Gentleman, the Leader of the Opposition, on the 30th July last, the recent decision concerning the Fleet Air Arm does not affect any shore-based aircraft, including flying boats, which remain under the operational and administrative control of the Air Ministry. Coastal patrol work would normally be carried out by this type of aircraft, and not by ship-borne aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm.