§ 4. Lieut.-Colonel Mackesonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that medical personnel of the R.A.F. have been flying long hours in connection with the evacuation of military and civilian casualties in the Dutch East Indies; if they receive pay in recognition of their services similar to those of other R.A.F. personnel; and if he will make a statement recognising the excellent work which has been and is being carried out.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Strachey)Yes, Sir. I am glad to have this opportunity of paying a tribute to all those whose efforts made it possible for nearly 4,000 sick and wounded to be flown out of Java up to the beginning of February. We are still evacuating as many sick and wounded as we can. All members of the Royal Air Force have a general liability to go into the air when required. Men who are not in one of the ordinary flying trades receive crew pay if they are filling established aircrew posts and this applies to the R.A.F. nursing orderlies who are established as air ambulance orderlies and who are helping with the work of evacuation.