§ 97. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Air why Marshal of the R.A.F. Sir Sholto Douglas, travelled from Germany to Northolt airport on 1st November in a Dakota aeroplane, which was escorted across the channel by four Mosquitos; and whether in view of the urgent need for fuel economy he will issue instructions to the R.A.F. command to discontinue the practice of using aircraft as escorts in peacetime.
§ Mr. A. HendersonThese Mosquitos were from Fighter Command and they carried out an interception and formation exercise on the aircraft in which Marshal of the R.A.F. Sir Sholto Douglas was travelling: this afforded an opportunity of paying a courtesy to this distinguished officer. The second part of my hon. Friend's Question does not arise, as formation flying of this kind is an essential part of operational training.