§ 41. Mr. Skinnardasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why there is a difference of three groups between radar mechanics and W/T mechanics in the recent promulgation of release groups; and whether, since many of the former class have been manning W/T stations, especially in the Far Eastern areas, and the two categories are regarded as interchangeable, he will now treat them equally with respect to the rate of demobilisation.
Mr. DugdaleWhilst every endeavour is made to achieve a broad parity of release between categories, it has been repeatedly stated that for a number of reasons some difference in the rate of release of the various branches of the Service is inevitable. In the present case, a substantially greater proportion of radar mechanics than W/T mechanics are serving on "hostilities only" engagements and their rate of release is governed to some extent by the need to train reliefs. Contrary to my hon. Friend's suggestion, these two categories are not generally speaking interchangeable. Although in a case of acute local shortage of one category their duties might as a temporary expedient be performed by the other, such a practice would not be generally conducive to efficiency.
§ Mr. SkinnardIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that some radar mechanics, after training, have spent the whole period of their subsequent service in the Far East as W/T mechanics, and are not exactly pleased at the discrimination between the rates of release?
Mr. DugdaleI am afraid that I have no skill in either of these branches and I am not competent to express an opinion, but I am informed by my advisers that there is a very considerable difference in the work required.