The revised Estimates for the Air Foroe, which were published
last Saturday, show a reduction of twelve and a half millions on the original Estimates of March last, and now stand at fifty-four millions. The strength of the Force will be reduced to 35,000 by the end of March next, and the expenditure will be out down to about fifteen millions for 1920-21. Monday's debate on the Air Force turned mainly on General Seely's complaint that the Force had lost its brief independence and become an adjunct of the War Office, as the result of which he had resigned. Mr. Boner Law defended the appointment of Mr. Churchill as War Minister and Air Minister, and Mr. Churchill, for his part, asserted that the Air Force retained its independent status. Mr. Churchill announced that the Air Force would maintain twenty-four and a half fighting squadrons. Nineteen of these would be stationed abroad, including eight in India, seven in Egypt, three in Mesopotamia, and one for the naval bases.
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