§ 68. Mr. WATTasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that candidates for the Women's Royal Air Force were asked to appear before a selection and medical board in the Technical College, Glasgow, in August last; that those who passed were instructed to give up the positions which they held at which they were earning their livelihood and proceed to Eltham on 27th August; that 180 arrived there on that date, and that in ten days 150 of these were given railway warrants and returned to their homes; if so, will he say what compensation he proposes to pay these women for their expenses incurred and loss of situations; and whether anyone has been censured in his Department for this transaction?
§ Major BAIRDTwenty-two candidates were chosen by selection boards held at Glasgow in the month of August for appointment as probationary officers of the Women's Royal Air Force. The terms of the appointments made it clear that those who accepted them were subject to confirmation in their rank after a period of training. Candidates whose selection was not confirmed received pay during their period of probation, and were supplied with free railway warrants to their homes, and it is not proposed to make them further payments by way of compensation. The numbers attending the course at Eltham were as stated in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Limehouse on the 21st instant.