§ 9. Colonel Medlicottasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will withdraw or amend the rule that applicants for appointment as police officers in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force must be moderate drinkers and not total abstainers?
§ Sir A. SinclairI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply on this subject which I gave to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) on 24th February. I see no reason for altering the present arrangements.
§ Colonel MedlicottIs my right hon. Friend aware that this regulation applies primarily to young people, and that by it official encouragement has been given to those who drink rather than to those who abstain, and does he not regard this as an unfortunate and retrograde step?
§ Sir A. SinclairI would not call it giving encouragement to those who drink. It does, however, enable these women to carry out their functions more efficiently if they are able to mix with women who are not total abstainers.
§ Colonel MedlicottIs it not a fact that total abstention is not a disability, and that this rule does in fact place total abstainers at a great disadvantage?
§ Sir A. SinclairI do not think so. It is not laid down that they must on no account be total abstainers. If there is a total abstainer who is in every other respect perfectly suitable, there would be nothing to prevent her being appointed, but, other things being equal, it is an advantage that they should not be total abstainers. [Interruption.]
§ Mr. George GriffithsI beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment. It is a most disgraceful thing; it is a shame.