§ 24. Sir John Mellorasked the Secretary of State for Air whether other ranks of the A.A.F., discharged because redundant, are granted the same amount of leave on discharge as officers for whom no further employment is available are granted on full pay upon retirement; and how entitlement to leave upon discharge compares with corresponding arrangements in the other Services.
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Archibald Sinclair)The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." As regards the second part, the arrangements to which I referred in the reply to my hon. Friend on 17th January are in line with those of the War Office. I understand that under Admiralty practice the period of leave granted on discharge varies according to the circumstances of the case.
§ Sir J. MellorWill the right hon. Gentleman say why other ranks get less favourable treatment than officers in this respect?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe rule, at the moment, applies to at least two of the Services, if not to the third. It is more difficult for officers to obtain employment quickly and it has been thought right to give them this additional concession, which they have recently obtained.