§ 18. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the 345 reasons for discharging long-service married men from the Royal Air Force at Woodbridge, Suffolk, and replacing them by young single men; and whether steps are taken to secure employment before discharging men from the Air Force?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)Any such men have been discharged on completion of their term of service. Replacements are made in the ordinary course of posting strictly in accord with the requirements of the service. On discharge airmen are placed in benefit under the unemployment insurance scheme and registered with the appropriate Employment Exchange; if they so desire, they have the special help of the National Association for the Employment of Regular Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes not the right hon. Gentleman believe that it is an injustice to discharge men of 17 years' service, with wives and families, without finding them some suitable employment whereby they can maintain themselves and their families?
§ Sir P. SASSOONOnly a limited number of men can be re-engaged at the end of service, because it is necessary to have a regular flow of recruits into the Service. Of course, the hon. Member knows that there are a number of long-service men who continue service.
§ Mr. TOM SMITHHave any of these men been discharged on account of economy?
§ Sir P. SASSOONNo.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSBefore discharging men with 17 years' service, and within four years of a pension, will the right hon. Gentleman sympathetically consider whether they should be discharged unless some suitable employment is available for them?
§ Sir P. SASSOONAll that is very sympathetically considered.