HC Deb 16 March 1960 vol 619 cc1298-9
50. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Minister of Defence how many Royal Air Force officers of the rank of air commodore and above are serving on the staff of international or inter-Service organisations.

Mr. Ward

I have been asked to reply.

There are fourteen such officers in posts paid for by the Ministry of Defence.

Mr. de Freitas

Is the Minister aware that these figures do not support the argument justifying the increased proportion of air officers in the Royal Air Force which is now as great as 240 in number? Will he bring to the attention of himself, in his other capacity as Secretary of State for Air, that it is no argument to justify the top-heavy structure of the Royal Air Force today?

Mr. Ward

May I continue to wear the hat I am wearing at the moment— that of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence—and reply that I gave the Answer which was asked for by the Question, the number of officers for whom the Ministry of Defence has financial responsibility. There are many other officers in inter-Service organisations who are the financial responsibility of the Service Departments.

Forward to