HC Deb 29 January 1941 vol 368 cc537-8
12. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any decision has yet been arrived at with regard to the issue of an increased number of free railway passes to flying officers and air crews?

The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)

Yes, Sir It has now been decided that air crew personnel will, in future, be allowed a maximum of four free leave railway warrants a year. I am happy to add that this concession will apply also to flying instructors and to pupils at flying training establishments.

Mr. Stokes

Does that mean that station commanders will, at their discretion, in cases of stress, be allowed to go beyond four passes, if they think it necessary, or are they strictly limited to four passes only?

Captain Balfour

Hitherto, only two free railway warrants have been allowed, but the new regulation allows four. You must have a borderline somewhere, and the borderline is that station commanders will not have discretion to go beyond four.

Mr. Shinwell

Will this concession apply to the other Services?

Captain Balfour

I am speaking on behalf of my own Service, the Air Ministry. I suggest that the hon. Gentleman should put that Question to the appropriate Departments.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not undesirable that such concessions should be made for one Service and not relate to the others?