§ 37. Major HUNTasked the Secretary of State for War why it is that if a wounded flying officer succeeds in bringing himself and his aeroplane back into the British lines, and thus saves himself from being taken prisoner and his machine from being captured by the enemy, he is deprived of flying pay after a short time in hospital, whilst a flying officer, whether wounded or not, coming down within the enemy lines or in a neutral country is given flying pay till the end of the War?
§ Mr. FORSTERFlying pay, like other forms of special corps pay, is continued to officers who suffer the crowning misfortune of being imprisoned or interned. In other cases, special consideration is given to cases of injury due to flying, but the orders on this subject were found to have been overlooked in some cases, owing to the rapid growth of the corps. Action to correct this, including review of past errors, was taken in September last.
§ Mr. BILLINGWould the hon. Gentleman state whether or not the flying pay of an injured officer who succeeds in getting back wounded with his machine ceases when he comes out of hospital unfit or continues?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt continues as long as the officer is on sick leave on full pay. As my hon. Friend is probably aware, the length of sick leave on full pay differs in differing circumstances. It rests largely, I think, with the commanding officer to settle how long sick leave on full pay should continue. I think there was some misunderstanding as to how far commanding officers' power was properly exercised. Attention has been called to it, and I hope the matter is in order now.
§ Mr. BILLINGWould the hon. Gentleman consider the fairness of allowing cases of officers who are so injured to receive their flying pay so long as they remain in the force for the duration of the War, and thus put them on the same basis as those taken prisoner?
§ Mr. FORSTERI do not think we can make an exception in favour of flying officers.