§ Mr. Teelingasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that spare parts for two squadrons of Halifaxes were promised to be delivered to the two French squadrons concerned, at Merionac Bordeaux, by 15th October last; why they were not so delivered; why no answer was given by the Air Attaché in Paris, when asked for information; if he is aware that the squadrons are indefinitely grounded because of this delay; and what is the present position as regards supplying the required parts.
§ Mr. StracheyThe delivery of these spare parts was delayed owing to the difficulty of providing suitable shipping and partly also owing to the dock strike. We were in close touch with the French authorities on this question, and they knew that delivery was expected in January. The Air Attache 's representative in Paris made immediate inquiries when he was asked to confirm this date, which he was able to do within a week. The spares had, in fact, already arrived in France when we first heard, on 29th January, that these aircraft had been grounded.