HC Deb 24 July 1946 vol 426 cc13-5
16. Mr. Osborne

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air what are the reasons for the recent order reducing all non-commissioned officer aircrews above the rank of sergeant, which includes men who have done over 50 operational flights or who have been shot down three times; how many non-commissioned officers arc affected by the order; and what steps he will take to remove the sense of injustice which these non-commissioned officers feel at this order.

Mr. de Freitas

I think the hon. Member has in mind airmen who were redundant as aircrew and who were transferred to other duties at the end of the war. We have always made it clear that N.C.O. aircrew ranks were only temporary and would have to be reviewed at the end of the war. That is what we have now done. Naturally this causes disappointment, and something like 20,000 men are concerned, though I cannot give an exact figure because of the release programme. These men all had, as they deserved, exceptionally rapid wartime promotion, far more so than in other trades or branches, For example, they could become warrant officers within no more than two years of first getting their wings. They will, of course, keep their flying badges, and in general the aim of the measures we are taking, in these admittedly difficult circumstances, is to place them as far as possible on the same footing as aircrew who are still flying. These are complicated major changes. We are taking special steps to explain them to the Service in a non-technical way by means of a new pay form.

Mr. Osborne

May I put this important point? Since the pay is not being altered, what is the point in reducing the rank of these men? They feel very deeply about it. They were the cream of the youth of Britain, and, if I may say so, were regarded as Churchill's heroes, but now they are the Socialist rejects.

Mr. de Freitas

The new pay form is going out and will be published next week. I ask hon. Members not to press me on details, because we can deal with only a few points here, which may be magnified and give a wrong impression of this scheme to these 20,000 men.

Mr. Nally

Will the Under-Secretary explain what he regards as unusual in the fact that a man who has had his wings for two years should be regarded as suitable for appointment as a warrant officer? What is curious about that?

Mr. de Freitas

I was comparing that with ground crews. I said that, as they deserve, they got their promotion. I ask hon. Members to let us get out these new pay forms so that the Service can understand them. There are 20,000 men concerned, and we car only high-light some of the minor points here.

Wing-Commander Millington

Will the Under-Secretary bear in mind that this question is causing considerable agitation among all these men who are within a month or so of demobilisation? They have served gallantly throughout the war, and a month or so before they apply for reinstatement in civil life they will have to explain why they have been demoted.

Mr. Osborne

I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.