§ 26. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that on or about 11th August his Department issued a letter advising R.A.F. personnel who were being discharged for compulsory enlistment into the Army, that they would be given an opportunity of expressing any preference they might have regarding the regiment or corps that they wished to serve in; that in most cases no such opportunity was given, with the result that much disappointment and resentment were caused; and why this promise was given.
§ Sir A. SinclairThe letter to which the hon. Member refers was issued to airmen on deferred service. Those who were not specially suitable for any trade were given the opportunity of expressing a preference for particular regiments or corps, but they in common with the others, had been told that it might not be practicable to meet their wishes. A minority with special qualifications were posted to Army units where qualified men were urgently required. They were not given the opportunity to express a preference because it would clearly not have been practicable to give effect to it. I regret if this was not made clear to them at the time, but to have posted them to other units would have been wasteful of their skill.
§ Mr. DribergWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for the unprecedented phenomenon of three comparatively satisfactory replies running, may I ask him if it is not rather unfortunate that some, at any rate, of these men were, so to speak, led up the garden in this way?
§ Sir A. SinclairI have expressed regret if there was a misunderstanding about the communication to these men but the word "practicable" was intended to be interpreted in the way I have said.
§ Mr. DribergShould there not have been more thorough consultations with the War Office before that letter was drafted?
§ Sir A. SinclairI can assure my hon. Friend that there was consultation.