WIDER DUTIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 December 1940, Page 6

WIDER DUTIES

COASTAL COMMAND AIRCRAFT PROTECTION OF TRADE OPERATIONAL TOLICY UNDER ADMIRALTY’S CONTROL [British Official Wireless] (Received 11th December, 11.15 a.m.) RUGBY, 10th December. The Prime Minister, Mr Churchill, stated in the House of Commons: "I have come to the conclusion that while there is no need at present to change the position of the Coastal Command as part of the R.A.F. it is necessary that the Coastal Command should play a more important part tnan it has hitherto done in trade protection and for that purpose substantial increases, some of which have already been effected, will be necessary. “Moreover, as a feature of Coastal Command squadron* is their co-oper-ation with the Royal Navy the operational policy of the command must be determined by the Admiralty—of course in consultation with the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief. Excellent relations have been established since the war began between the two services and the closest contact exists between the naval and air authorities.'* Mr Churchill added that the last thing the Government wanted was inter-service controversy.