§ 58. Colonel Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Secretary of State for Air why the ex-service men composing the temporary clerical staff, No. 4, Stores Depot, Royal Air Force, Ickenham, are to be replaced by civil servants in the higher grade and a number of junior clerks in the lower grade; and whether he is aware that some of the men to be replaced are old 2217 soldiers who have completed 21 years' continuous service with the colours, and that no provision whatever is made for these veterans, although when they enlisted 25 years ago they were officially informed that Government employment would be found for old soldiers in certain Government Departments which were named.
The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Captain Guest)A revised and reduced establishment for the clerical staff of the Store Depots of the Royal Air Force has been rendered necessary in the interests of national economy. It is the intention to fill as many as possible of the appointments on the new establishment from the present temporary clerical staff, who will be given an opportunity of competing amongst themselves for permanent appointments on this new establishment. Those who succeed will be so appointed, and it is anticipated that it will be possible for the present to retain most of the remainder as temporary clerks in place of the women clerks who are ultimately to form part of the revised establishment. The old soldiers to whom reference is made in the question will have the same chance of retention as the others. It will, of course, be apparent to my hon. and gallant Friend that the Air Ministry could not have been included in the Departments covered by the promise which he states was made to these men 25 years ago.