PLEASED THOUGH I was at the idea of Lord Hailsham
as a new broom for the Admiralty, I hope any dust he sweeps up is not going to get into his eyes. At a press conference last week he said : 'It is being seriously suggested that Coastal Command should be administered by the Royal Navy.' This suggestion has been put forward—but not taken—seriously, for years; and if it has cropped up again now, the reason can only be that the. Navy, after backing a loser in aircraft carriers, is trying to save its face by appropriating 'land-based aircraft. This would indeed be a retrograde step. The need now is gradually to abolish the distinction between naval, air and ground forces; as things are, and are likely to remain, the distinction is one of tradition only. The chief obstacle—in the United States as well as here—in the way of inter-departmental unity is depart- mental jealousy and intrigue, provoked by manoeuvres of this nature. If there needs to be any change in the organisation of the various forces where sea and air power overlap, it should not be attempted by take-over bids of this kind.
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