§ 8. Mr. Liddallasked the Secretary of State for Air why serving and other ranks are not permitted to apply for vacancies for which their civilian knowledge is required, as this procedure puts volunteers in an unfair position as compared with those who await call-up; and whether he will issue instructions to prevent positions with commissioned rank being readily available to those not serving when the same suitable experience is available from those already serving, and who, in addition, have some military record?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)It is already the practice to meet officer requirements in the R.A.F. as far as possible by promotion from the ranks, and airmen can be recommended for commissions at any time, irrespective of length of service. Commanding officers have recently been instructed that no obstacle is to be placed in the way of an airman who wishes to state his case if he considers that he has special qualifications or feels that he has been overlooked.