§ 42. Captain HAROLD BALFOURasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will state the number of civil servants employed at the Air Ministry on 1st January, 1930, and 1st January, 1931; whether any posts previously held by Royal Air Force serving officers have during the year 1930 been allotted to civil servants; and if any further action in this direction is contemplated during 1931?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Mr. Montague)The numbers of civilian staff employed at the Air Ministry on 1st January, 1930, and 1st January, 1931, were 1,706 and 1,719, respectively. During the year 1930 seven civil servants were appointed to posts previously held by Royal Air Force serving officers. Several similar replacements are now under consideration and will probably be made during 1931.
§ Captain BALFOURIs there any set policy with regard to certain appointments on the Air Staff side being maintained permanently by serving officers?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThere is a certain policy for the substitution of civilians for officers in places where the particular qualifications and experience of service officers are no longer required.