§ 7. Colonel Greenwellasked the Secretary of State for Air whether men now training as members of air crews who have volunteered for these duties from reserved occupations are now to be liable for transfer to the Army.
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Archibald Sinclair)No airmen who have actually started and are successfully continuing aircrew training are being compulsorily transferred to the Army.
§ Mr. DribergCould the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is the position of men in the R.A.F. who have applied to be transferred to air crew duties from other duties where such transfer is pima facie allowable?
§ Sir A. SinclairThat is another question.
§ Colonel GreenwellDoes the answer of my right hon. Friend mean that men who have gone from reserved occupations, men who would never have been allowed to join the Army, or the Navy, because of their value to industrial war effort, will now be transferred to the Army rather than returned, if not yet actually trained, to their civil employment?
§ Sir A. SinclairMy hon. and gallant Friend says "if they are not yet trained." This question refers to those under training at the moment, and they 743 will not be transferred to the Army if they continue successfully in their training.
§ Mr. MathersIf men have been taken from their industrial work, in a way in which they would not have been taken for the Army and Navy, because they have volunteered for air crew duties—against which there is no appeal machinery available—what is their position with regard to these transfers?
§ Sir A. SinclairIf they are in training now and have failed in their air crew training, then their disposal after they leave the Royal Air Force is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.
§ Mr. BuchananIs the Minister aware that a man gets no such option? He is immediately transferred from the Air Force to the Army without any discharge at all. If he were discharged, it would allow the Minister of Labour to deal with him, and that would be fair enough, but he is transferred from the Air Force without discharge.
§ Sir A. SinclairNo, Sir, if he is in the class to which my hon. Friend referred—a man who is in a scheduled occupation—that is a matter for the Minister of Labour.
§ Mr. BuchananThat is not the case, because I have had communications with a sheet-metal worker, who was reserved, but who was transferred automatically without being discharged from the Royal Air Force, and I could get no satisfaction, despite a long correspondence.
§ 8. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement as to pay and allowances of R.A.F. personnel to be transferred to the Army.
§ 6. Wing-Commander Hulbertasked the Secretary of State for Air if he will give an assurance that airmen compulsorily transferred from the R.A.F. to other Services will not suffer financially or in regard to promotion; and will those so transferred retain their acting rank.
§ Sir A. SinclairI would refer hon. Members to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Granville). The question of retention of 744 acting rank does not arise as only aircraftmen are being compulsorily transferred.
§ Mr. BellengerWill my right hon. Friend elaborate a little the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary yesterday? If these men are being transferred, are sufficient accountants also being transferred to the Army, to watch their pay accounts, because the Army have no knowledge of Air Force rates of pay?
§ Sir A. SinclairThese men are to be paid at rates not less than they now receive. They will, of course, receive the Army pay under Army arrangements. There is no suggestion that Royal Air Force accountants should be asked to administer Army pay.
§ Mr. BellengerDo I understand that these men who are transferred will go into the Army on Royal Air Force rates of pay; and, if so, how is that to be arranged financially?
§ Sir A. SinclairI never said that they would receive Royal Air Force rates of pay. They will receive rates of pay in the Army, not less than they now receive. They might be higher.