§ 16. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Malcolm clubs in Italy are limited to R.A.F. personnel; and whether soldiers are excluded.
§ Sir A. SinclairYes, Sir. These clubs which were started in North Africa on a voluntary basis and which are self-supporting are, owing to the limited accommodation and facilities available, confined to use by airmen of the Royal Air Force and Dominion Air Forces.
§ Mr. BellengerAs I understand that these clubs are very well run and are on a far better and more comfortable basis than what is provided for the Army, does not my right hon. Friend think that the R.A.F. might be a little more comradely and invite members of the other Services?
§ Sir A. SinclairIt is hardly fair of my hon. Friend to suggest that the R.A.F. are not comradely. This is an enterprise by the R.A.F. The original funds for the club were advanced by a Frenchman for the R.A.F., but the funds have since been repaid, the clubs are self-supporting, and they get no grant from public funds. It is a little bit of enterprise on the part of the R.A.F. which I think deserves our support.