§ 13. Sir WALTER de FRECEasked the Secretary of State for War if agreement has now been reached between the War Office and the Air Ministry on the position in. respect of compulsory flying of an officer of the Regular Army attached to the Air Force for study purposes?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am not aware of any disagreement with my right hon. Friend.
§ 10. Mr. HARRIS (for Sir ROBERT THOMAS)asked the Secretary of State for War for what reason Army Order 304 of 1924 was issued; and what was the date on which it came into force?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON - EVANSArmy Order 304 of 1924 was issued because inquiries had been made whether, in view of the formation of the Royal Air Force as a separate Service, Army personnel were still liable to go up in aircraft. The Army Order did not impose any new liability, as Army personnel had always been liable to travel by air on military duties.
§ 11. Mr. HARRIS (for Sir R. THOMAS)asked the Secretary of State for War whether Army Order 304 of 1924 is enforced in the case of officers who joined the Army prior to that date; whether he is aware that Lieutenant D. F. C. Scott, of the Essex Regiment, who joined the Army in 1920, selected that arm of His Majesty's forces because he had an objection to flying; and whether he will in future give those officers who joined the Army prior to the issue of this Order the option of deciding whether they will go up in the air or not, either as a pilot or a passenger?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second and third parts in the negative, except that, as explained to the hon. Member on 22nd May by my hon. Friend, the Financial Secretary, officers of the Army are not called upon to fly as pilots unless they volunteer for the duty.