HC Deb 14 July 1943 vol 391 c173
17. Commander Bower

asked the Secretary of State for Air by whom and on what grounds the editor of the "Royal Air Force Journal" was selected?

Sir A. Sinclair

The editor of the "Royal Air Force Journal" was selected in October, 1942, under my authority by the appropriate branch of my Department. As for the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Everton (Mr. Kirby) on 18th November last.

Commander Bower

In view of the fact that this publication is widely read by thousands of our young men and women in the Air Force, would it not have been possible from among the hundreds of literary gentlemen who have joined the Air Force to have selected someone who has not been convicted of publishing indecent matter?

Sir A. Sinclair

Of course, it would have been possible to select another officer besides the one who was appointed. This one was appointed as long ago as 1942, and since his appointment the paper has prospered and given satisfaction.