§ 19. Mr. Aylesasked the Minister of Labour why, in his new demobilisation proposals, in view of the retention of the principle of age and service, R.A.F. releases are three groups behind the Army and 17 groups behind the Navy.
§ 38. Sir Robert Youngasked the Minister of Labour whether the men to be released from each of the three Services will be the same percentage of the total strength of those in the Navy, Army and Air Force, or on what basis the allocations were made; and will he make it clear to R.A.F. personnel why the group releases of the Navy and Army are higher in group numbers than that of the R.A.F.
§ Mr. IsaacsI would refer my hon. Friends to the statement made on this subject by the Under-Secretary of State for Air in the Debate on the Adjournment on Friday, 12th October.
§ Mr. AylesIs the Minister aware that there is widely spread dissatisfaction with regard to the dates of demobilisation; and will he see that the fullest possible information is given to these men, in order that not only they but their relatives may understand the reason for this delay in demobilisation?
§ Mr. IsaacsI did not hear the Debate, but I was under the impression that that information was given by the Under-Secretary of State for Air on Friday last.
§ Sir R. YoungWill my right hon. Friend see that that informative speech of the Under-Secretary of State for Air is made known to the R.A.F. personnel concerned?
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonIs the Minister aware that anyone reading that speech, especially men in the R.A.F., will remain thoroughly dissatisfied?
§ Mr. SunderlandCould the Minister have copies of that statement printed, and make those copies available for Members for use in their correspondence?
§ Mr. IsaacsI seem to be full of promises this afternoon, but I promise to look into that. I am aware, as a Member of Parliament as distinct from a Minister, of the communications we are getting. I will confer with the Departments concerned to see if we cannot get some informative statement published in Hansard or circulated in some other way.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreIn view of the large increase in our correspondence from these disillusioned men in the R.A.F. and their wives, will the Minister approach the Chancellor with a view to giving us a subsidy to deal with this correspondence?
§ Sir R. YoungWill my right hon. Friend answer the first part of my Question?
§ Mr. IsaacsI referred my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Air.
§ 22. Mr. Benn Levyasked the Minister of Labour if he will mitigate the disparity in the rate of release as between the three Services by increasing the proportion of recruits allocated to the R.A.F. and by remustering into the R.A.F. a proportion of Army and Navy personnel in late release groups.
§ Mr. IsaacsIn the allocation of manpower to meet the requirements of the three Services, such considerations as those mentioned by the hon. Member have been taken into account. There is, however, a limit to the extent to which releases can be accelerated by the call up or transfer of inexperienced men.
§ Mr. Vernon BartlettDoes that answer mean that men from the other Services are being remustered in the R.A.F.?
§ Mr. IsaacsI am afraid I cannot answer that question without notice.
§ Mr. IsaacsI am afraid I cannot answer that. If my hon. Friend will put that question down I will get the information.
§ 39. Mr. John McKayasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the difficulties at present, which prevent the personnel of the R.A.F. from getting their releases according to their groups at the same time or speed as the other Services; and if he will at once consult with his colleagues in order to give to all men in the Forces who are being prevented from release at the time that age and service applies in general, some recompense financially or otherwise, because of the hardship they are suffering.
§ Mr. IsaacsI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 9th October to the hon. Member for Southall (Mr. Ayles), a copy of which I am sending him.