asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the total number of officers, men and machines on the strength of the British and French Air Forces, respectively?

The strength of the Royal Air Force on the 1st July last was 3,321 officers, 109 cadets and 29,561 airmen; as regards machines, there were (including the equivalent of about nine squadrons for the Fleet air arm) 55 squadrons of an average establishment of 12 machines each. The strength of the French Air Service, according to the latest information available, is approximately 140 squadrons of an average of nine machines each; it is not possible to give the figures for personnel, for the reasons explained in my answer to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on the 23rd February last.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the machines which he mentioned in his answer are efficient machines, ready for flying at once?

I would like notice of that question.

Are all the men and boys counted in those figures?

They are included.