§ 20. Mr E. BROWNasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a non-service man with no flying 1422 experience, whose employment prior to going to the Air Ministry had been at the Board of Education, was recently appointed to the post of Deputy-Director of Civil Aviation; whether he considers flying experience an essential qualification for such a position; and whether he will give an assurance that in filling the now vacant post of Deputy-Director of Civil Aviation in Egypt the post shall not be given to a non-service man, but to one who has actually been a flying officer?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)No new appointment has recently been made to a senior post in the Directorate of Civil Aviation at the Air Ministry, but there has been a certain measure of reorganisation and redistribution of the existing staff and duties, which have been accompanied by certain changes in nomenclature. The gentleman who now holds the appointment of Deputy-Director of Civil Aviation, the duties of which are administrative rather than technical, has for some years past been one of the senior officials of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, and I consider him fully qualified to carry out the duties of his appointment.
I may add that in addition to wide administrative experience he is, though not a pilot, well acquainted with the principal civil aviation routes of Europe, over many of which he has made frequent flights. As regards the last part of the question, I am not clear to what appointment the hon. Member refers, but it would appear to be one which falls within the province of the Egyptian Government and not of my Department.
§ Mr. BROWNIs the Under-Secretary aware that a number of service men have an idea that the policy of the Minister of Air is biased against them, and can he give us an assurance that service will not be counted against people making application for posts of this kind? Does he not think it is essential, for posts of this kind, that men should have actual experience in the air, whether civil or military, before he takes charge of a branch in which young lives are at stake?
§ Sir P. SASSOONIt is difficult to answer so many questions at once. This is not a new appointment, as the gentleman has been in the Air Ministry for 1423 several years, and it is only due to the reorganisation that he receives a different title.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIf the person in question cannot fly, why should he have this post?
§ Sir P. SASSOONWe always hope so. And this reorganisation has been carried out with this particular object in view.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESCan the Under-Secretary give us an assurance that in the Air Service, where so many short-service commissioned officers are being dismissed every year, that no administrative posts shall be filled by any but ex-flying officers?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThat does not apply in this case.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESNo, but I am asking whether he can give us an undertaking in the general sense.
§ Sir P. SASSOONPerhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put down a Question.