§ 43. Captain Harold Balfourasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many Royal Air Force officers who have been members of the Air Council during the past five years have subsequently been appointed to Royal Air Force commands at Home or abroad?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead)The answer is two.
§ Captain BalfourCan the Under-Secretary of State say what proportion that bears to the total number of members of the Air Council, and can he give the House an assurance that it is the policy of the Air Ministry that service on the Air Council is not the ultimate aim to which an officer can rise, but is only a part stage through which he may pass to higher commands?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThere are four service members of the Air Council who have relinquished that appointment during the past five years. That makes the proportion subsequently appointed to commands 50 per cent. I think my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that the procedure followed hitherto will not be departed from.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherAre the two officers in question still regarded as eligible for appointment?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadFor a further appointment?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI do not think they are ineligible.