§ 40. Mr. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the main reason for the lack of R.A.F. recruits is the constant reposting of officers and men and the consequent uncertainty about their immediate future; and if he will consider commissioning officers and men for a minimum period of three years on one station.
§ Mr. de FreitasThis is one of the temporary problems we have to face while demobilisation is going on, and I am afraid we can only improve matters gradually. Even in stable conditions a certain amount of movement is inevitable, because of overseas service, promotion, remustering and so on. But I should add that we are returning to our prewar practice of trying to post airmen in this country to the districts they prefer.
§ Mr. OsborneIs the Minister not aware that both men and officers feel that there is a good deal of unnecessary posting, and will he stop it as soon as possible?
§ Mr. de FreitasCertainly we do not like posting because of the waste of man hours, but to give some idea of the amount of turbulence caused by demobilisation hon. Members may be interested to know that of every 10 men who were mobilised on VE-Day we shall have demobilised 8½ by the end of this year.