Mr William Taylor: Potato powder is included in our emergency reserve stocks. Its storage life is limited, and in order to turn it over we issue it occasionally to all ranks—usually twice a month.
Mr William Taylor: The warranty for the life of this product is for two to three years. Therefore, I think that I can say categorically that we are not using up war-time stocks.
Mr William Taylor: My hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Gresham Cooke) made a distinction between National Service men and others. I can assure him that there is no such distinction.
Mr William Taylor: I can only say that the menus and messing generally in the R.A.F. are very satisfactory. I commend all hon. Members in all parts of the House to visit R.A.F. stations to see what is being served. As for Cyprus, in twenty-six days in June there was a choice for the midday meal between hot and cold dishes. "Pom" is used on two days only a month, as I said in my original reply.
Mr William Taylor: We get the "Pommies" from the War Office.
Mr William Taylor: None, Sir.
Mr William Taylor: There is nothing in the Question about photographs. I must look into that, but the question of security generally at R.A.F. stations used by the Americans in this country is a matter for the American Air Force authorities.
Mr William Taylor: Mr. Raine courteously told our Principal Free Church Chaplain last month of his intention to take part in a march of protest against nuclear weapons. In the course of very friendly correspondence and discussion he accepted the view that this did not fit in well with his official ministry at R.A.F., Lindholme, and he therefore agreed to resign. We are most grateful for the services he has given.
Mr William Taylor: It means simply that we can hardly have as a chaplain on a bomber station of the R.A.F. someone who publicly advocates the view that Bomber Command's main task is morally wrong. The incompatibility appears to me obvious, and I gather that Mr. Raine is of the same opinion.
Mr William Taylor: Fighter aircraft from R.A.F, Middleton-St.-George have carried out night flying as part of their normal training programme. Aircraft approaching to land under ground control necessarily pass close to Seaton Carew.
Mr William Taylor: Aircraft landing under ground control approach conditions pass close to Seaton Carew at heights varying between 2,500 and 7,500 feet dependent upon conditions.
Mr William Taylor: As the hon. Member was told on 13th July, there has been no change in the status of this aircraft. Development is proceeding as planned, but the stage has not yet been reached at which a production order is needed. On the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend explained on 28th January, 1959, in answer to supplementary questions, the reasons why we were developing a new aircraft...
Mr William Taylor: The hon. Member and the House know that the NA39 is a fully developed aircraft now and is in production. When the matter of the TSR2 was being examined we looked at the possibility of having a stretched version of the NA39 instead of ordering an entirely new aircraft to meet the new operational requirements. The question of time-scale also arose. There has been no significant change in any of...
Mr William Taylor: The Canberra will remain effective for a number of years. To replace it we need an aircraft with a greatly improved performance capable of penetrating strong defences during a long operational life. Developing it should not take much longer than adapting the NA39 to overland operations in all weathers. To develop a new aircraft will be more economical, because the aircraft will last longer.
Mr William Taylor: I can add nothing to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has already said about consultations on the use of bases in this country by United States military aircraft.
Mr William Taylor: I have not seen the report in the Press to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but I repeat that consultations have commenced and are going on. I believe that the hon. Gentleman has tabled a Question to the Prime Minister tomorrow, and it is not my intention to anticipate that.
Mr William Taylor: Mr. Fitzgibbon and Mr. Taylor, together with several others, entered Air Ministry property at Finningley on Sunday last with the declared intention of preparing the way for a demonstration to take place next week-end. They were asked to leave, but Mr. Fitzgibbon persisted in refusing to do so. After ample warning he was removed by R.A.F. police as a trespasser. No unnecessary force was used....
Mr William Taylor: This was not normal commercial or political canvassing. It was action following up a threat of demonstrations of a type which have in the past taken the form of serious interference with work at Royal Air Force stations. The station commander felt bound to try to make the position clear before matters could possibly get out of hand.
Mr William Taylor: He was being carried but he wriggled.
Mr William Taylor: I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Healey) on 21st June.
