§ 5. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what progress has been made with the formation of the Reserve of Air Force Officers and the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve: and when applicants will be accepted for service.
§ Mr. de FreitasI am afraid there is little I can yet add to the answers given by my predecessor on 27th March and 1st May. The hon. and gallant Member will realise that much has to be done on the accommodation side alone before a real start can be made with training and that it is bad policy to recruit men before we have training facilities. I can, however, assure him that everything will be done to re-form the reserves and to provide training as soon as we can.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyWhile I appreciate the Minister's difficulties, may I ask if he is aware that many of these ex-N.C.O.'s and officer-pilots have been out of the Service for over a year and are rapidly getting out of flying training, so that unless steps are taken at an early date to train them the cost to the Government will be much more and they will not get the material? Will he look into the matter?
§ Mr. de FreitasYes, Sir.