§ 11. Major Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement as to the position of those persons under 41 years of age who have been called up for service, but who have been deferred by his Department on the grounds that no vacancies exist?
§ Captain BalfourThe rate of intake for training both for aircrew and for ground duties necessarily varies from time to time for operational and other reasons. Accordingly, if maximum use is to be made of the available training facilities a pool must be maintained of those candidates who have been selected as suitable for Royal Air Force service. The period of deferred service which is kept as short as possible does not normally exceed six months and is frequently much less.
§ Major LyonsWhile I cannot ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman what the number is, will he inquire whether that number can be substantially reduced, in view of the fact of there being so many cases where after one day's service young people are sent back, and their service deferred?
§ Captain BalfourIt is our wish to keep that period as short as possible. If the hon. and gallant Member will give me particulars of any individual or trade, I will have them looked into.