FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1950
1950 - 0559.PDF
FLIGHT, a3 March 1950 367 AIR ESTIMATES The Figures Analysed : More Money for Techmcat Equipment SET out below are details of the eleven " votes " whichform the Air Estimates ior 1950-51, recently issuedin White Paper* form. The Estimates were due to be debated in the House of Commons last Tuesday, March 21st. Issue was preceded by the usual Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Air, a number of points in which had previously been touched upon by the Minister of Defence, as readers will have seen from the leading article in Flight last week. The principal fact which emerges from the Memorandum is that, while there will be a reduction in R.A.F. man-power, there will be a simultaneous increase in technical fighting strength. In all, the Estimate is for a sum of ^15,550,000 greater than in 1949-50, the main increase being due to the introduction of more modern types of aircraft and equipment (including radar) and to the gradual exhaustion of stocks of wartime equipment. There is also increased provision for the development of airfields and for the building of additional domestic and technical accommodation. The net total of the Estimates is £223,000,000. Provision is also made for a maximum of £4,900,000 to be issued out of the Consolidated Fund, under the Armed Forces (Housing Loans) Act, 1949, for the construction of additional married quarters. As we remarked last week, in commenting on Mr. Shinwell's statement, the re-equipment and expansion of day fighter squadrons with jet aircraft is continuing, and the Venom, of superior performance to the Vampire, will also be introduced. The Canberra has been ordered in quantity and deliveries should begin during the year. In the transport squadrons, Hastings and Valettas are replacing the Yorks and Dakotas which have given such good service. Further progress will be made with the replacement of existing training types. The production programme provides for a substantial number of jet aircraft for use in Western Union defence. The Memorandum points out that uniform strength will fall to about 198,000 by the end of 1950-51 compared with * "Air Estimates, 1950-57." His Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Price 55. VOTE I : PAY. ETC., OF THE AIR FORCE. (£52,850,000) 225,000 a year ago, and 202,000 to-day, a decrease in the two years of 12 per cent. Economies have been effected by a number of organizational changes: the transport force in the United Kingdom has been reduced; the Central Bomber Establishment has been abolished and its duties allocated to squadrons; and the Empire Schools have been amalgamated with the R.A.F. Flying College Substantial reductions aie being made in Technical Training Command and in Main tenance Command by the use of improved methods; and staffs of the Air Ministry and larger formations have been seduced in numbers. As the Minister of Defence ha? already stated, such measures as these have enabled the necessary man-power to be found to complete the doubling of the jet fighter strength of Fighter Command, while the striking power of Bomber Command will be considerably increased by the formation of new squadrons equipped with B-29S from America. The Air Minister's Memorandum goes on to review the past year's achievements of the Service and proceeds to sum-up the personnel situation to-day- Regular recruiting is still far from satisfactory; there is a shortage of trained men and a lack of balance between trades persists; and serious deficiencies are apparent in some of the most important and highly skilled trades. The new schemes introduced in September, 1948, for the entry of flying personnel are now yielding results, but there is still a shortage of suitable applicants for short-service commissions as pilots and navi- gators. Two new forms of regular engagement should materially assist in the problem of manning the regular Air Force. There has been an encouraging improvement in the numbers and quality of candidates for cadetships at the R.A.F. College, Cranwell. As regards the "works" side of the Estimates, provision has been made for airfields to be extended and strengthened to fit them for use by new types of aircraft; barracks and messes will be improved and, as stated above, there will be a substantial increase in married quarters. Four of Ike votes appear below; the remainder are on p. 368.) ,:, VOTE2: RESERVE AND AUXILIARY SERVICES. (£1,442,900) - ;•--.. ..:' V. ... Pay of officers Pay of airmen and airwomen Pay and marriage allowance of local personnel abroad Marriage allowance etc. Lodging allowance and London allowance Local overseas allowance ... Miscellaneous allowances ... National Insurance contributions... Extended service bounties War gratuities and Service post-war credits Gross totals ... ...£ Deduct: Appropriations in aid Net totals ...£ 1950-51 £ 11,790,000 26,140.000 350,000 10,540,000 420.000 2,795,000 235.000 2,020,000 19,000 1,000 54,310,000 I.460.C00 52,850,000 1949-50 11,930,000 29.000.000 280,000 10,700,000 450.000 1,780,000 439,000 2,290,000 80,000 1,000 56,950,000 1,750,000 55,200,000 Increase ( ) Decrease ( —) £ - 140,000 - 2.860,000 + 70.000 - 160,000 30,000 + 1,015,000 - Pay, etc., of personnel of the Roya! Air Force Reserve (classes A-H) Pay, etc., of personnel of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve ... - 204,000 - 270.000 61,000 — - 2,640.000 -f 290,000 - 2,350,000 Pay, etc., of personnel of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Grants to territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations Air Training Corps Combined Cadet Force Pay, etc., of members of the Royal Observer Corps Miscellaneous services Gross totals £ Deduct : Appropriations in aid Net totals £ 1950-51 £ 125,000 596,000 283,000 87,000 228,000 37,003 84,000 4,030 1,444.000 1,100 1.442,900 1949-50 £ 42,000 574,000 262,000 86,001 197,003 38 000 95,000 6,300 1,300,300 300 1,300,000 Increase ( 4- ) Decrease (—) £ + 83,000 + 22.000 + 21.000 -•- 1.000 -<- 31,000 — 1,000 11.000 2,300 4 143,700 - 800 - 142,900 The decrease in the gross total of this vote is mainly due to lower strengths of officers, airmen and airwomen ; partly offset by provision for payment of marriage ailowaice in respect of a larger number of airmen and increased provision for local overseas allowance consequent upon higher rates and a larger number of families abroad. VOTE 3 : AIR MINISTRY. £2,858,000) The increase in the gross total of this vote is rnainl> due to the continued develop- ment of the reserve and auxiliary services. VOTE 5 : MOVEMENTS. (£8,453,000) Salaries, wages, etc. „, Deduct : Appropriations in aid 1950-51 £ 2,976,000 118,000 Net totals £ 2,858,000 1949-50 r 2,894,800 111,800 2.783,000 Increase ( t) Decrease ( - ) -i- 81,200 - 6,200 + 75,000 The increase in the net total of this vote, notwithstanding the reduction in the number of civilian staff since April 1st, 1949, is mainly due to the fact that the cash provision in 1949-50 allowed for a larger reduction in staff during the year than is in fact likely to occur. In addition, increased costs arise from normal incremental progression. Conveyance of personnel ; travell- ing allowances and expenses ... Conveyance of stores Gross totals .. ....; ...£. Deduct: Appropriations in aid Net totals £ 1950-51 £ 6.360,000 2.890,000 9,250,000 800,000 8,450,000 1949-50 f 6,480,000 2,750,000 9,230,000 660,000 Increase ( + ) Decrease ( —) w -120,000 r 140,000 + 20,000 -140,000 8.570,000 -120,003 The decrease in the net total of this vote is mainly due to increased provision for recoveries in respect of the inland conveyance of stores issued to other govern- ments and to an expected increase in receipts from fare-paying passengers in Royal Air Force aircrafc as a resuit of higher charges.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
