FOD,
You are right, I should have read his letter more carefully. My quick scan failed to identify the nuance that you kindly point out. I apologise for my contrived comment. I hate it when frustration gets the better of me.
Regarding the point in question - which I believe is May's view that there is no requirement for an independent Air Force in the UK - it is an extremely complex argument, but I will put some thought into a simple 'layman's explanation' of the requirement; this may take me some time, but I hope to come up with something which isn't contrived.
Odi