§ 8. Wing-Commander Hulbertasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will revert to the peace-time procedure whereby all annual confidential reports are initialled by the officer reported upon whether adverse or favourable?
§ Sir A. SinclairNo, Sir. The war-time practice of showing officers their confidential reports only when they contain adverse comment has advantages over the peace-time practice and is in line with that adopted in the Army and in the Royal Navy.
§ Wing-Commander HulbertDoes my right hon. Friend not think it would give great encouragement to junior officers if they could see the reports?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe public interest, and the interest of the Service, make it necessary that these reports should contain 480 candid and realistic assessments of the officers' character and abilities, and this is best served by the present system.
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxAre adverse reports always shown to the officer concerned?
§ Sir A. SinclairYes, Sir.