British Forces in Palestine: Question of Policy Cannot Be Discussed by Way of Question and Answer Si

Palestine and Transjordan form one command for defence purposes and the British Force consists of two R.A.F. squadrons, one R.A.F. armed car company and two British infantry battalions, Sir Philip Sassoon, the Under-Secretary of State for Air, said in the House of Commons to-day in reply to a question by General Spears who wanted to know what was the composition of the British Forces in Palestine. The R.A.F. armoured company consists of headquarters, and four sections of armoured cars, In addition a company of the Transjordan Frontier Force, a locally recruited force, is recognised. The Air Officer commanding in Palestine and Transjordan is in operational command of all military operations in the two countries. The armoured car company belongs to the Royal Air Force, he added.

In reply to a question whether the whole of the cost is to be paid out of British funds, or part out of Palestine funds, Sir Philip said: I should like notice of that.

Major Attlee (Labour) then asked whether this is the beginning of a larger experiment, and whether there is to be a complete rocognised force in the Royal Air Force separate from the Army, and to this Sir Philip Sassoon replied: That is a question of policy, which cannot be discussed by way of question and answer.