HC Deb 21 April 1943 vol 388 cc1663-5
10. Sir Herbert Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what grounds he has decided not to consider representations by Members of Parliament in respect of their constituents serving in the Royal Air Force unless those representations are supported by a magistrate or a minister of religion personally acquainted with the airman concerned?

Sir A. Sinclair

Presumably my hon. Friend has in mind a recent case in which one of his constituents serving in the Royal Air Force applied to him for a statement to support an official application made on compassionate grounds, for posting to a Station near his home. Application of this kind must in the first place be submitted by an airman to his commanding officer, supported by a corroborative statement from a person of standing, such as a Member of Parliament, a minister of religion or a justice of the peace. Representations made direct to my Department by an hon. Member on behalf of an airmail for whom he cannot himself provide a corroborative statement of this kind would, of course, be carefully considered in conjunction with an application from the airman concerned submitted through the recognised official channels.

Sir H. Williams

Do I understand from that answer that, when a Member of Parliament writes to the Department of the right hon. Gentleman, the Department does not take action without further representation?

Sir A. Sinclair

No, Sir. We answer the Member's letter and suggest to him the way to take action.

Sir H. Williams

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the War Office at once bring the machinery they have into action and make replies at once instead of imposing, as in this case, 10 days of unnecessary delay?

Sir A. Sinclair

Really the quickest way is for a man to apply to his commanding officer.

Mr. Buchanan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this imposes a severe limitation upon men who do not know a justice of the peace and, in many cases, do not know intimately a minister of religion who could vouch for them? Will he take steps, if this has to be done, to see that the basis is made much broader, say, to include the secretary of a friendly society or a good neighbour who might be able to speak for the man?

Sir A. Sinclair

I will gladly look into that point and will consider very carefully whether the list could be extended.

Wing-Commander James

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that Members of Parliament are protected by the usual channels being used, otherwise an avalanche will descend upon them?

Sir A. Sinclair

I agree with my hon. and gallant Friend.

Mr. Cocks

Cannot these representations be made through the welfare officer of the R.A.F?

Sir A. Sinclair

It would be very much quicker to do that through the commanding officer.