§ 9. Mr. Osborneasked the Under-Secre-tary of State for Air when it is intended to close down the R.A.F. station at Kirkham, Lancashire, and transfer the civilian armament instructors back to their permanent station at Manby, Lincolnshire, since these workers have been separated from their families for over five years.
§ Mr. de FreitasThe return of these civilian instructors to their families at Manby does not depend on Kirkham being closed. It has always been made clear that liability to serve anywhere in the United Kingdom is one of the conditions of service for our civilian instructors.
§ Mr. OsborneMay I ask the Minister it he is not aware that these men were sent to Kirkham as a wartime measure and for the war period only, and will he reconsider letting them return to their families?
§ Mr. de FreitasAs I have stated, it is quite clear that these men are liable to serve anywhere in the United Kingdom. The functions of Kirkham and Manby are somewhat different and the instructors are not necessarily interchangeable. If, however, there is any case in which an exchange posting can be personally arranged between Manby and Kirkham I shall, of course, look into the matter.