§ 18. Sir Harold Webbeasked the Secretary of State for Air why, in the Visiting Forces (British Commonwealth) Royal Canadian Air Force Order (S.R. & O., No. 1388, of 5943, 16 dollars, Canadian is substituted for five pounds, in paragraph r, whereas, in paragraph 2, 16 dollars, Canadian, are substituted for only two pounds?
§ Captain BalfourUnder the Air Force Act the maximum fine which may be imposed upon an airman of the R.A.F. for drunkenness is £5 on conviction by court-martial and £2 in a case which is dealt with summarily. These provisions also applied to airmen of the R.C.A.F. attached to the R.A.F. whereas under R.C.A.F. regulations a maximum fine of 16 dollars is prescribed under both court-martial and summary procedure. The Order to which the hon. Member refers was made at the request of the Canadian authorities with the object of placing airmen of the R.C.A.F. attached to the R.A.F. in the same position in this respect as those serving under R.C.A.F. regulations.
§ Sir H. WebbeIs it desirable that men serving alongside one another as these Canadian airmen are serving alongside our own airmen should be treated differently in this matter?
§ Captain BalfourWe have the choice of either aligning Royal Air Force Regulations with those of the Canadian Air Force or aligning the Regulations of the Royal Air Force with those of the British Army, and we have chosen the latter course.