67. Captain HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists among men in the Air Force because they are not allowed to walk out in civilian clothes when off duty; and whether, seeing that this privilege is granted to men serving in the. Navy and Army, it is proposed to extend the same privilege to men serving in the Air Force?
§ Mr. MONTAGUENo, Sir. As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower) on 6th November last, I have no reason to suppose that the present rules with regard to the wearing of plain clothes by airmen are contrary to the general feeling in the Royal Air Force. My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension, I think, in regard to naval practice; I understand that naval ratings are not allowed to enter or leave their ships or establishments except in uniform.
Captain HALLCan the hon. Gentleman say why men of the Air Force should be treated differently from the men of the other two branches of the Fighting Services?