§ 50. Mr. Sorensenasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of serving commissioned officers who have risen from the ranks; the number of commissioned officers who have been promoted from the ranks during the past 10 years; and what percentage this represents?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe answer to the first part of the question is 490. The answer to the second part of the question is 419; this represents 26 per cent. of the total entry to permanent commissions.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman satisfied that this represents a proper democratic proportion?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI must say that it seems to be a very reasonable proportion.
§ Mr. SorensenDo I understand that the Minister feels that it is reasonable that something like three-quarters of the officers should be drawn from one particular class?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI cannot accept that insinuation.
§ Mr. SorensenIt is obvious.
Viscountess AstorCan my hon. and gallant Friend get the hon. Member to define what he means by "class" when he says that?