§ 5. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that applicants for commissioned rank in interviewing their commanding officers have to do so in the presence of a non-commissioned officer; and whether he will arrange that such interviews shall take place in private?
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Archibald Sinclair)The presence of an N.C.O. at an interview between an airman and his commanding officer is entirely a matter for the latter's discretion, 145 and I do not consider that it would be desirable to place any restriction on the exercise of that discretion.
§ Sir. MathersDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this takes away from the confidential nature of the interview? I am sure he wants it to be confidential, and if there has to be someone else present, might it not be someone who is not in immediate contact with the colleagues of the man who is seeking the interview?
§ Sir A. SinclairI do not think it is for me to dictate to commanding officers how to conduct their interviews. If a commanding officer is not fit to conduct an interview, he is not fit to be a commanding officer.