§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in studies of the practicability of making use of certain civil airliners shortly to enter service, as a means of enhancing the air-to-air refuelling capacity available to the Royal Air Force in a period of tension or in the event of war.
§ Mr. PattieI am most grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his helpful initiative in this matter. Studies into the practicality of using civil airliners to augment the RAF's air-to-air refuelling capacity in a period of tension or war are continuing. The concept undoubtedly offers the prospect of a useful addition to the RAF's air tanker capacity in an emergency.