§ 69. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that, 18 months after cessation of hostilities with Japan, no air branch of the R.N.V.R. has been formed; that flying personnel already demobilised will have lost touch with the service; that delay in the formation of such a reserve is daily prejudicing its ultimate success; and if he will take steps to form the branch without delay.
Mr. DugdaleI am glad to be able to inform the House that as a first step in the formation of naval aviation reserves, arrangements have now been made for four R.N.V.R. Air Squadrons to be established. Three of these will be fighter squadrons based at Culham and Stretton, and a third station not yet finally decided. The fourth will be a fighter—A/S Squadron based at Abbotsinch. It is hoped that the first of these squadrons will begin operating by the early summer. For the present, the entry of pilots and observers is confined to Naval Reserve officers who have been employed on Front Line Squadron flying duties. Provision is also being made for air engineer officers. Reserve maintenance officers and ratings will not be recruited for the time being, but names of volunteers will be noted.