HC Deb 10 June 1942 vol 380 c1029
9. Mr. Liddall

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether in future postings to stations in these islands more regard will be had to the locale of the men's home so that Highland Scots will no longer be posted to the South of England while Southern Englishmen are posted to remote parts of Scotland?

Sir A. Sinclair

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Sir W. Smithers) on 5th May.

Mr. Liddall

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that, psychologically, this is a very bad thing? Many men find themselves posted to parts where they feel that they are in a foreign land, the language of which they do not understand. Does he not feel that he should consider this question of long railway journeys and the unnecessary use of railway accommodation, with this useless expenditure of time and money?

Sir A. Sinclair

Initial postings are decided by the requirements of the Service on the one hand and the qualifications of the individual on the other. Once the initial postings have been made, changes are avoided as much as possible; but in making these postings we consider, as far as possible, the posting of a man near to his home; and after the initial posting has been made, if a man has good compassionate grounds for asking for posting to his home, we do our best to meet his requirements.

Mr. Liddall

Why should a Cockney be posted to a remote Scottish island?