§ 54. Mr. Mathersasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether Turnhouse and Donibristle stations will be utilised in the scheme of air defence; and whether the staffs at these stations now under threat of dismissal on account of Royal Air Force changes will be retained?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence in reply to his supplementary question on this subject on the 9th instant. As regards the second part of the question, I cannot at present add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 22nd December.
§ Mr. MathersIs not the hon. and gallant Member aware that the answer given by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence is looked upon, not only by me, but everyone concerned in the area, as totally unsatisfactory and as conveying no information, and is it not possible for him to give some indication to those persons who are at present under notice of dismissal or who are likely to be dismissed that appointments will be found for them?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI do not really think that people ought to look upon the answers of ray right hon. Friend the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence as unsatisfactory. As regards the employment of staff, I indicated to the hon. Member that we were, in point of fact, retaining some staff, and I indicated the number of people most likely to lose their occupation and the arrangements which are normally made to find them fresh employment.
§ Mr. MathersForty-six people are being sacked.