§ Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for Air why No. 960563, A.C. 2, Benjamin George Harper, lately of No. 5 Balloon Centre, Royal Air Force, who was discharged from the Royal Air Force for reasons of ill-health, was only given the sum of 10s. on his discharge instead of the usual 28 days' pay; why repayment of the family allowance was later demanded which had been paid in good faith by the P.O.O., having received no instructions to the contrary; why payment 1737W of an allotment towards this family allowance was subsequently to be repaid; and why no answer can be obtained from the medical authority who signed the certificate of discharge on the grounds of epilepsy, who has been asked for evidence of this statement, as later examination by the man's own doctor gave no indication at all that he was suffering from such a disease as so serious a diagnosis is likely to prejudice his future and his chances later of obtaining work?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe answer to the first part of the Question is that A.C.2 Harper was not invalided but was discharged on 23rd August, 1940, under paragraph 652 (19) of King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions which applies to airmen with less than six months' service who, in the opinion of the competent medical authority, are unlikely to become fit for service. A.C.2 Harper was not therefore eligible for 28 days' leave with pay. The ten shillings which he received on his discharge was an advance pending final settlement of his pay account. As regards the second and third parts of the Question, Mrs. Harper continued to draw family allowance,plus the usual allot- 1738W ment from her husband's pay, up to and including 25th September, 1940, thus receiving an overpayment totalling £5 is., made up of £3 8s. family allowance plus £1 13s. allotment from pay, despite the instructions in the Order Book to the effect that it should be returned to the issuing authority in the event of the "death, discharge, invaliding or desertion of the airman." In settling the airman's pay account the balance of £1 is. 10d. left after deducting the advance of 10s. made to him on discharge was retained in partial refund of the £1 13s. allotment from pay overdrawn by his wife. No demand has been or will be made for the outstanding balance of £3 19s. 2d. As regards the last part of the Question, R.A.F. medical officers are not permitted to furnish details of medical histories to the men under their care and are instructed to forward any applications for such information to the Air Ministry. There is no trace of an application in respect of A.C.2 Harper having been received in the Air Ministry either direct or through the R.A.F. medical officer. If such an application is received it will of course be considered.