§ 31. Mr. Garry Allighanasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that airmen with seven years' ser vice, now attached to the R.A.F., 112 M.U. of the M.E.F. are now having courses in how to use a rifle and Sten gun in which they have been proficient throughout their service; and whether, as these men are equipment assistants whose group release is deferred, he will speed up their rate of release in view of these facts.
§ Mr. StracheyThis general combat training amounts to only five working days a year, so I am afraid that not much relief could be got from its abolition. In any case, I should say from my own Service experience that a certain amount of refresher weapon training for men in the ground trades of the R.A.F. is justified.