HC Deb 30 May 1946 vol 423 cc229-30W
Flight-Lieutenant Crawley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what assistance His Majesty's Government have recently extended to the French Government in the re-equipment of the French Air Force.

Mr. McNeil

I am happy to inform the House that, as a result of recent agreements, it is possible for this country to give increased aid to France in the reconstruction of her Air Force, aircraft industry and Naval Air Arm.

Under an agreement concluded by His Majesty's Government and the French Government by means of an exchange of notes dated 24th November and 4th December, 1945, His Majesty's Government have supplied or are to supply to the French Air Force and aircraft industry on favourable terms:

First—Aircraft and equipment for units of the French Air Force in Metropolitan France, French North Africa, French Equatorial Africa and Indo-China including three years' maintenance requirements;

Second—Aircraft and equipment for training schools in France and North Africa, including three years' maintenance requirements;

Third—Complete radio, radar and signals equipments, again including three years' maintenance requirements;

Fourth—R.A.F. schools and instructors to train French personnel in the use of British equipment;

Fifth—Repair equipment issued by the Ministry of Aircraft Production for the use of the French aircraft repair organisation;

and last—Facilities and technical assistance in the manufacture, under licence in French factories of British aircraft, engines and spare parts.

Further, under an agreement concluded by His Majesty's Government and the French Government by means of an exchange of notes dated the 13th March and the 20th March, 1946, His Majesty's Government have undertaken to supply to the French Government on favourable terms:

First—Aircraft and equipment for one carrier based fighter squadron, including replacement aircraft and maintenance equipment;

Second—Aircraft, marine-craft and equipment for Other units of the French Naval Air Arm;

Third—Radio and radar equipment for French manufactured aircraft, for ground training and for ground stations;

and last—Training in the United Kingdom for personnel of the French Naval Air Arm.

His Majesty's Government sincerely hope that these measures will prove of value to the French Government and people in the great effort which they are making towards national reconstruction.