§ 77. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air how many officer pilots and airmen pilots, respectively, are being discharged from the Air Service between now and the end of the present year; how many of these are leaving at the expiration of their engagements, and how many are leaving for other causes?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Major Sir Philip Sassoon)As all our estimates of personal requirements are based on the financial year, I should prefer, if the hon. and gallant Member agrees, to give figures for the financial rather than the calendar year. The number of officer pilots due to pass from the active list of the Royal Air Force in the financial year 1926 is 257, nearly all being short-service officers who will pass into the Reserve; and the number of airmen pilots due for transfer to the Reserve 39 is five. It is not possible to forecast the number who may cease to be employed for other reasons, but it will be small.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes that mean that there are no reductions being made, and that there is only the ordinary normal passing to Reserve?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe hon. and gallant Gentleman asked me how many officers are being discharged.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I put it in another way? Are any pilots being "axed" out of the service? I do not mean those whose engagements have expired. Are any reductions being made apart from that?
§ Sir P. SASSOONNo, Sir.