HC Deb 01 May 1940 vol 360 cc684-5
9. Mr. Ralph Etherton

asked the Secretary of State for Air why medical orderlies and cooks in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, many of whom were specially recruited, are graded in the lowest grade, namely, A.C. 2; whether there is a proper establishment under which medical orderlies can obtain the rank which their training experience and responsibility warrants; and whether he will rectify the present anomalies?

Sir S. Hoare

Members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force are employed only as sick-quarters attendants on members of that Force who are sick in quarters and not sent to hospital. Any skilled nursing necessary in such cases would be carried out by members of Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service and trained members of voluntary aid detachments. The majority of the personnel to which my hon. Friend refers are therefore appropriately graded as aircraftwomen 2nd class. I am aware that some members have been found since their enrolment to possess skilled qualifications and the question whether any higher mustering can be accorded them is now under consideration. In regard to cooks, there is an adequate establishment by ranks but this, as with all Women's Auxiliary Air Force establishments, is kept under review.

Mr. Etherton

Arising out of that reply, have medical officers in command of hospital and other units been instructed or authorised to submit lists of persons suitable for promotion to the rank equivalent to corporal or sergeant and might not this Cinderella branch of the Royal Air Force receive slightly more generous consideration?

Sir S. Hoare

I think we are dealing very fairly with this service. If my hon. Friend has any specific case to bring to my attention, I shall be glad to have it.

Sir Ernest Shepperson

Is it not a fact that only 5 per cent. of the A.C. 2's are permitted to become A.C. 1's in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force?

Sir S. Hoare

I think that if my hon. Friend will look at the original answer, he will see the reason, namely, the nature of the work that is required.

10. Mr. Etherton

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has considered the undue proportion of officers and non-commissioned officers in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force who have been given responsibilities and commands without receiving even an acting rank proportionate to their employment, and whether he will take steps to remedy this?

Sir S. Hoare

Owing to changes in the distribution and organisation of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force since the outbreak of war, a number of officers and sub-officers have from time to time had to discharge duties appropriate to ranks higher than those they actually hold; in many cases this experience has been of value as a test of their capabilities. Revised establishments for the Force have now been drawn up which will enable higher rank to be granted where this is appropriate, and the position will be regularised as soon as possible. In some cases the most convenient way of doing this may be to grant acting rank.

Mr. Etherton

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are officers in command of groups who still have only the lowest commissioned rank?

Sir S. Hoare

I think there are bound to be, in the early months of the war, cases of that kind, but I will keep in mind the point that my hon. Friend has raised.