HC Deb 18 October 1944 vol 403 c2354
16. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider applications for compassionate release or posting of urgent cases from relatives of men who are serving overseas.

Sir A. Sinclair

I can assure the hon. Member that all applications from relatives for the return of airmen from overseas receive careful consideration. After investigation, the facts are communicated by signal to the command concerned and the decision whether or not the airman can be posted home is left to the discretion of the A.O.C.-in-C.

Mr. Bellenger

Does not the Air Ministry insist that application shall come, in the first place, from the man to his commanding officer if he is serving overseas?

Sir A. Sinclair

No, Sir. There seems to be some confusion between applications for compassionate posting and application for release from the Royal Air Force, and between applications for compassionate posting at home and those in, overseas commands. In the case of corn-passionate postings from overseas commands the facts are investigated by the Air Ministry here, and are supplied to the air officer commanding.