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Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Air to accompany the Air Estimates, 1926.

Presented to Parliament by
Command of His Majesty.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE.

To be purchased directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses: Adastral House, Kingsway, London, W.C. 2; 28, Abingdon Street, London, S.W.1; York Street, Manchester; 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff;

or 120, George Street, Edinburgh;

or through any Bookseller.

1926.

Price 3d. Net.

Cmd. 2589.

AIR ESTIMATES, 1926.

The net Air Estimates submitted to Parliament for the coming year amount to £16,000,000, an increase of £487,000 on those of the current year. There is, however, a decrease of the gross Estimates, owing to a reduction of that part of air expenditure which falls finally on the Middle East Vote in respect of Iraq, Palestine and Transjordan, and on Navy Votes in respect of the Fleet Air Arm. The comparison between the two years is shewn in detail in the following table :

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The decrease in the provision for the Middle East represents another stage in the progressive diminution of the British forces in Iraq and Palestine; its continuance depends on the absence of any serious set-back to the political stabilisation of those countries. The decrease on the Fleet Air Arm is mainly due to the non-recurrence of capital expenditure on new equipment; there is to be no diminution of the strength of the Arm in the -coming year, but on the other hand the further increase to which reference was made last year has been postponed by agreement with the Admiralty.

The increase on the net Estimates reflects the higher level of strength of the Home Defence Force; expansion has been proceeding during the current year, and although the actual development during the coming year will be less, the average requirements of this part of the Air Force over the year both in personnel and materiel are inevitable greater. But expenditure in this direction has been offset by all possible administrative economies, and the net total of some of the Votes shows a decrease.

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While, however, the gradual growth of the Air Force for Home Defence continues, the actual rate of expansion is decreased. This is a consequence of a decision of His Majesty's Government to relax, in view of the international and financial situation, the efforts which have hitherto been made to complete the authorised programme at the first possible date. When in 1923 the then Government decided to increase the strength of the Home Defence force to 52 squadrons (39 regular) it was contemplated that this could be achieved by the year 1928. It had already become apparent, however, that the very complicated interlocking programme of land purchase, building, recruiting, training and equipment could hardly be completed before the year 1930. The effect of the recent decision is that in existing circumstances even this date need not be aimed at for completion of the programme, and that the advances towards it, in the next year or two at any rate, can be gradual and deliberate. This decisionwhich relates only to the rate of progress, not to the strength to be eventually attained is open to review in accordance with the international situation, and in particular with the results of international discussions on disarmament. Apart from such contingencies, which are still in the future, the total of Air Estimates will necessarily rise considerably in future years. The slackening of the advance makes it possible to avoid in 1926 the substantial increase in expenditure which was impending, but the deferment is temporary.

Strength, Distribution and Employment of the Air Force.

During the past year the strength of the Air Force has been increased by two Regular squadrons, one Special Reserve squadron and four Auxiliary Air Force squadrons, and, apart from training units and establishments, is at present approximately equivalent to 61 squadrons, 56 of which are maintained on a regular basis.

Of the regular units 45 are organised on a squadron basis (in addition to two detached flights), the remainder being composed of 18 flights (numerically equivalent to about 9 squadrons) provided for service in the Fleet Air Arm, and two flights controlled by the Air Ministry for operation from coastal bases. The distribution on a squadron basis is as follows:

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The Home Defence Force now consists of 25 squadrons including 1 Special Reserve and 4 Auxiliary Air Force. Considerable progress has been made in the preliminary arrangements

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