R.A.F. TO REDUCE MANPOWER AND START JET BOMBERS

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1949, Page 5

R.A.F. TO REDUCE MANPOWER AND START JET BOMBERS

LONDON, February 23. The Secretary for Air, Mr Arthur Henderson, in a memorandum, accomoanving the Air Estimates tor 1949-1950, stated. —“Britain is. rushing to put her first jet bombers into the air. They will be of exceptionally high performance and the first o ; them is expected to fl?/ in the near future. The R.A.F. fighter squadron--are also being increasingly equ pped with jet fighters.” Mr Henderson said that, despite the increase of £34,450,000 over last year’s estimates, the R.A.F. would reduce its man-power from 292,500

to 235,000 during the coming year. This year’s estimates totalled £207,450,000. There was, in addition, a supplementary estimate for 1948-49 totalling £16,400,000. The increase in the estimates for the coming year resulted from the measures taken or to be taken to strengthen the position of the R.A.F. in aircraft and equipment and from the increased ‘costs of pay and allowances.

Mr Henderson said that events overseas “have proved the value of air power for restoring order in disturbed areas. He said that steps were being taken with the Benelux countries to bu Id up joint defences against air attack, using common types ‘of equipment and common operational procedure. Mr Henderson commented that flying personnel of the highest quality would increasingly be needed because of the development of larger faster and more complex aircraft.

R.A.F. ACCIDENTS Mr Henderson said that between January 1, 1949 and February 19. 1949, there were 23 accidents to the Royal Air Force in which 53 lives were lost. . t Asked whether the maintenance and training of the Royal Air Force were responsible, li” said he did nor think that they could draw any such inference. ’