HC Deb 21 August 1940 vol 364 cc1285-7
22. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the hardship caused to a number of men ho responded to a Government appeal in April to train as wireless operators for the Mercantile Marine, and who are now informed that no vacancies exist when they have qualified, but that they may either volunteer for or be conscripted into the Royal Air Force as wireless operators; whether he is aware that many of these men, not possessing the £25 necessary for the course at the College of Wireless Telegraphy, borrowed the necessary money; and will he take steps to ensure that qualified students accepted into the Royal Air Force are reimbursed the £25 expended on their training?

28. Mr. Ralph Etherton

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the hardship caused to men who, at the invitation of the Government, commenced to train for employment as radio officers in the Merchant Navy at considerable personal expense, and who have now been informed that there are no vacancies but that they can join the Royal Air Force at a lower rank and pay, the amounts expended by such men will be refunded; and whether he will make a statement?

Sir A. Sinclair

Following a very full consideration of the cases referred to and of representations which have been received from other hon. Members, it has been decided that the amount of the fees actually paid, up to a limit of £25 may be refunded to qualified students on enlistment in the Royal Air Force for wireless duties. I understand that the average fees payable for the course in question are about £14.

Mr. R. Gibson

Will my right hon. Friend deal with the position of the Watt Memorial College at Greenock, which was the subject of a Question on the Order Paper yesterday, the answer to which was deferred by him until to-day?

Mr. Gallacher

Does the Minister's answer apply to all the students who have passed through the training?

Sir A. Sinclair

All the students to whom the hon. Member's Question refers.

Mr. Liddall

Will the Minister see that no Communists are appointed?

Mr. Gibson

On a point of Order. I had a Question on the Paper yesterday in connection with the Watt Memorial College, Greenock, and my right lion. Friend asked me to wait until to-day for an answer. There is a supplementary point arising out of that Question. Many of the students at that college had heavy travelling expenses. Will they be reimbursed for that also?

Sir A. Sinclair

I do not think I can go further than I have gone. The Royal Air Force has gone some way in meeting the needs of these students, who were not, in fact, studying for the Royal Air Force, but were studying for the Mercantile Marine.

Mr. Gibson

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider the matter, with the other Ministers concerned?

Sir A. Sinclair

It has been considered, and it is as a result of that consideration that I have given the answer that I have to-day.