HC Deb 02 July 1941 vol 372 cc1326-7
15. Mr. Garro Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement on the results of the recent appeal for recruits for aerodrome defence; on the proposed organisation into units of that body; and whether preparations have been made for its rapid training?

Sir A. Sinclair

It would not be in the public interest to furnish the information asked for in the first and second parts of the Question. As to the third part, the Answer is "Yes."

Mr. Garro Jones

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the officer commanding this organisation has yet been appointed?

Sir A. Sinclair

It is not a separate organisation. It is a means of obtaining recruits to man the defences of our aerodromes. They are commanded by the station commander of the aerodrome.

Mr. Garro Jones

Does the right hon. Gentleman continue to rely upon appeals to the available supply of voluntary recruits?

Sir A. Sinclair

Possibly my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. There is nothing new in this, no new departure in policy. We have for a long time been responsible for certain duties in connection with the defence of aerodromes, and this arrangement merely enables us to discharge our expanding responsibilities.

Sir Hugh O'Neill

Is it not the case that when an appeal was made for recruits no details were given as to the kind of duties they would be asked to undertake, nor was it said whether they would be an addition to or in substitution for regulars, and can the right hon. Gentleman expect a good response in those circumstances? On the general question is there really now any adequate pool from which the recruits can be drawn in view of compulsory service?

Sir A. Sinclair

Yes, we are obtaining these volunteers, and I think we can obtain them from certain categories of men without entrenching upon the man-power which the Army so badly needs.

Mr. Bellenger

Will the Air Force be entirely responsible for the training of these volunteers or will the Army have any say in the matter, seeing that they are primarily responsible for the men?

Sir A. Sinclair

The Army have been most generous in the help they have given.