§ 19. Mr. Toucheasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the anxiety and hardship caused to members of a sergeant air-crew by reason of the fact that if by reason of wounds or illness they lose their flying capacity they are deprived of their rank; and whether he will make a statement on the subject?
§ Captain BalfourI would refer my hon. Friend to the very full statement which I made on 14th July last in reply to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bolton (Sir E. Cadogan). I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of this statement which is applicable to aircrew who are permanently withdrawn from operational duties whether on account of wounds or of ill-health.
§ Mr. ToucheDoes my right hon. and gallant Friend think it fair treatment that a member of an operational crew who is wounded after, say, two years' operational duty should be deprived of his rank?
§ Captain BalfourThat is not so. Perhaps my hon. Friend will study the long statement I am sending to him, after which I will be glad to have a word with him.