HC Deb 10 June 1942 vol 380 cc1027-8
4. Mr. Beverley Baxter

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the new restrictions on petrol allowances are particularly hard on members of the Royal Air Force, who are often posted at aerodromes in comparatively remote districts, and who now lack transport facilities for reasonable recreation and change; and what steps he is taking-to remedy this, in view of the un-desirability, from a psychological standpoint, of air crews being forced to stay at their aerodromes when off duty?

The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Archibald Sinclair)

It is not the intention, when the basic petrol ration is abolished, to discontinue the special issues of petrol and the cheap transport facilities at present available to R.A.F. personnel for the purpose of leave and recreation. The consideration to which my hon. Friend refers in the second part of his Question will, therefore, be met as far as circumstances allow.

Mr. Baxter

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the pilots themselves do not know about this facility, and that they are greatly worried about the matter and have made representations to many of us in this House? Is it clearly understood that pilots can get some sort of transportation to a nearby town to obtain recreation, instead of having to stay brooding in a place from which they want to get away?

Sir A. Sinclair

I dealt with my hon. Friend's Question. He has now raised the question of transportation to a neighbouring town. The position is that we give facilities in Service transport for carrying air crews to the nearest town once a week, provided that that town is more than two miles' from the station. As regards lack of knowledge of these matters, I am sure all members of air crews can obtain the information from their station commanders, and certainly the effect of my hon. Friend's Question will be to give the publicity he desires.

Mr. Baxter

But once a week does not meet the situation at all. A pilot may be at the station three or four weeks without ever being free on that day.

Sir A. Sinclair

I assure my hon. Friend that the position is not that the transport is available only once a week and that if the man cannot take it then he misses it. He has a right to obtain these facilities.