7. Mr. Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Air who is responsible for the Royal Air Force dance band known as the Squadronaires, under the leadership of Sergeant Jimmy Miller, now stationed at Uxbridge; how many of the band are Grade 1; at what hour their military duties finish each day; how many civil engagements have they accepted in the year ended December, 1941; how much was paid for their services, and to whom was the money paid; what officer is delegated to make such contracts; and how often have civilian bands been asked to entertain troops on a Sunday whilst this particular band has been playing to civilians and getting paid for so doing?
§ Sir A. SinclairMy hon. Friend is presumably referring to the dance section of the R.A.F. Central Band, known in some musical circles as "The Squadronaires." This band comprises 14 men, who form part of the approved establishment at Uxbridge. Ten of the men are in medical Grade 1. There is no definite hour at which their duties can be said to finish each day. As the band is maintained for the entertainment of R.A.F. personnel its members are often on duty at late hours. During 1941, the band accepted 73 paid engagements. Of these, nine were sessions for making gramophone records intended primarily for the entertainment of His Majesty's Forces, and 10 were B.B.C. broadcasts to the Forces. The fees received were, on the average, £75 for each engagement. The money, after deducting expenses, was distributed in accordance with King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions in specified proportions between the band fund, the bandsmen themselves and the bandmaster or conductor. Engagements for the band are arranged by the organising R.A.F. Director of Music and are subject to Air Ministry concurrence. As regards the last part of the Question, information is not readily available; but the band is never allowed to accept paid engagements which would interfere with their normal R.A.F. duties. I should add that all the personnel of the band have been trained as aircraft hands and have fired a musketry course, and have also been through a 1970 course in stretcher-bearing duties. They are called upon to do aircrafthand duties between their performances as musicians.
Mr. DavidsonWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his very extensive reply, may I ask him to reconsider the whole question of bandsmen who are under military or Air Force discipline, undertaking private engagements, to the detriment of many musicians who are ex-Service men from the last war?
§ Sir A. SinclairI am assured that there is no detriment, and that the fees paid are exactly the same.
Mr. DavidsonIs the Minister aware that in the journal "The Melody Maker" it is indicated that over 1,000 Air Force men are in bands engaged in private engagements? That is stated in the latest issue of that journal.
§ Mr. MontagueCan a man do a double job and be efficient at the same time? Could the Minister?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe job that these men are called upon mainly to perform is to entertain the Royal Air Force and to sustain their morale by giving them musical entertainment.