§ 15. Mr. Brookeasked the Secretary of State for Air whether a boy who is prevented by long hours of work from joining the Air Training Corps is, on that account, debarred from acceptance for the Royal Air Force when he reaches calling-up age?
§ Sir A. SinclairAircrew service in the Royal Air Force is open to all suitable volunteers whether members of the Air Training Corps or not. For ground duties, only a limited number of recruits can be accepted from the younger age classes and those who have undergone instruction in the Air Training Corps are, in general, preferred.
§ Mr. Kenneth LindsayAs this Corps is now wholly under the Air Ministry, will the Minister use his influence to see that these hours of work are reduced, because there is a considerable number of boys who would like to join?
§ Sir A. SinclairI think my hon. Friend has misread the Question, which refers to long hours worked by boys not in the Air Training Corps.
§ Mr. LindsayIt is precisely for that reason that I am asking this question. A large number of boys would like to join, and as this Corps is now under the Air Ministry, would the Minister use his influence to see that their hours are reduced so that they can join?
§ Sir A. SinclairI am responsible only for the administration of the Air Training Corps, not for the hours worked by boys outside.