§ 31. Sir W. SUGDENasked the Secretary of State for Air if he will furnish a list of air officers recently appointed as civilian adjutants and/or barrack wardens, together with the amounts of the Service pension of each; and if they have served overseas in a combatant capacity in the Great War?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThere are 11 ex-officers of the Royal Air Force concerned. Five of them are in receipt of Air Force pensions and one of an, Army pension. I am sending particulars of these to my hon. Friend, but I must point out that selections cannot be confined to those not in receipt of pensions. Full weight is given to the Service records of the officers appointed, but other factors have, of course, also to be taken into account in the interests of the public service. I will, however, let my hon. Friend have particulars under this head also if he so desires, but to do so I shall have to make inquiries of the War Office in respect of the prior Army service of certain of the officers concerned.
§ Sir W. SUGDENCan the hon. Baronet say whether in the Air Department 355 pre-War service and War service are considered qualifications for employment?
§ Sir P. SASSOONNot the sole qualifications.