§ 18. Mr. Quintin Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is prepared to make inquiries, similar to that undertaken by the Secretary of State for War, with a view to ascertain the extent to which registration for the Parliamentary franchise has been effected in the R.A.F.
§ Sir A. SinclairYes, Sir.
§ Mr. HoggDoes the right hon. Baronet also agree, that the proportion, so far, in the Royal Air Force is small, even as compared with the meagre proportion in the Army?
§ Sir A. SinclairNo, I have no evidence to that effect.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsDoes the right hon. Baronet expect to get a more satisfactory answer to his inquiries than the Secretary of State for War has yet got?
§ Sir Richard AclandAbout when will the right hon. Baronet be able to state what proportion has registered?
§ Sir A. SinclairI shall never be able to tell the House the exact proportion. I can only make a check here and there, to make certain that the thing is working.
§ Sir R. AclandWhen may we ask for the result of that check—in a fortnight, a month or three months?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe hon. Baronet can ask when he likes, and I will do my best to provide him with up-to-date information.
§ Mr. SorensenCan the Secretary of State, meanwhile, give any approximate figure? Is it not his business to find out how these men are anticipating their future civil responsibilities?
§ Sir A. SinclairNo, Sir, it is much too soon, I am afraid, to suggest even an approximate figure.
§ Mr. Moelwyn HughesCannot the right hon. Baronet give us, quickly, a return of those who have registered in the home establishment?
§ Sir A. SinclairNo, Sir, not quickly. But I am doing my best to see that this registration is going forward, and we are all trying to make it the greatest possible success.
§ Sir H. WilliamsWhy not ask one or two competent town clerks? They could do the job in a week.
§ Mr. DribergCould the right hon. Gentleman say if these facilities have now been made available to men of the R.A.F. Regiment on gun-posts and other outlying sites?
§ Sir A. SinclairI should like to see that Question on the Paper.