Understandably this has all got a bit aviation centric. My original remarks concerned defence across the board - land, sea and air. Only a couple of days ago I was discussing the matter with my neighbour, a retired FAA Observer, and we were bemoaning the lack of naval air power. Even with the forthcoming arrival of the two new carriers, always assuming we have some aircraft to put on them, a huge problem is who is going to man them. Its not like opening a new branch of Tescos - you cant just advertise at the Job Centre for a thousand or more men and women of all trades - they just dont exist any more. The blame for that situation has to be laid at the door of both Conservative and Labour governments neither of whom will bite the bullet and admit that defence is an expensive business. But with the great British Public unable to see beyond the NHS and schools, who can blame politicians for pandering to their wishes.