HC Deb 26 March 1942 vol 378 c2189W
Sir D. Gunston

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make regarding the sum of £250,000 collected in the Belgian Congo and presented to His Majesty's Government for the purchase of fighter aircraft for the Royal Air Force?

Mr. Law

I am glad to have the opportunity of expressing the gratitude of His Majesty's Government for this most generous gift from the people of the Belgian Congo. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Aircraft Production has already sent a message of appreciation to them. I understand that the money will be applied to the purchase of nearly fifty fighter aircraft, to be flown by the Belgian fighter squadron which is operating in this country with so much distinction and by the Belgian pilots who are serving so gallantly in other squadrons of the Royal Air Force. The aircraft will be named individually in accordance with the wishes of the people of the Belgian Congo.