HC Deb 05 March 1942 vol 378 cc804-5
51. Mr. Mander

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why transfers from the Army to the Royal Air Force have been suspended indefinitely; whether he is aware that Private H. Godwin, No. 7347368, was accepted last August by the Aviation Candidates Board as a pilot observer, and was told that he would be transferred to the Royal Air Force as soon as these were resumed; and whether he will take steps to see that soldiers who are keen to undertake flying duties and have been accepted for such, shall be transferred at an early date?

The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Mr. Sandys)

Transfers to the Royal Air Force for air-crew duties have been suspended owing to the inability of the Army to dispense with the services of any further men of this type. I can give no undertaking as to when or whether such transfers will be resumed.

Mr. Mander

Is it not extremely discouraging for a young man, full of enthusiasm and desiring to volunteer for service as a pilot in the Royal Air Force, who was accepted by the Aviation Candidates Board for transfer in August last, to be told now that he has to remain where he is? Cannot my hon. Friend give further consideration to cases of men who have been accepted?

Mr. Sandys

I can find no trace that Private Godwin was, in fact, accepted by the Board.

Mr. Mander

If I supply information which shows that, will my hon. Friend reconsider the matter?

Mr. Sandys

I shall be glad to receive confirmation of it, but I cannot reconsider the general question. This is a matter of policy decided by the Army Council together with the Air Council regarding the best use of man-power.

Mr. Ballenger

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many of these soldiers have been undergoing intensive training in order to prepare themselves for these positions, and as the Air Force are still asking for reserved men to volunteer, why cannot a little more favourable consideration be given to those men in the Army who have already been accepted?

Mr. Sandys

A large number of men have already been transferred from the Army to the Air Force for this purpose. There is, however, a limit to the number of men of this type which the Army can spare.