§ 36. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement regarding the release of electricians from the R.A.F.
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Philip Noel-Baker)In March, April and May of this year, six groups of Electricians I will be released, and four groups of Electricians II. This will bring them to Group 49. The Royal Air Force will still be short of electricians, however, and at the end of May, they will be five groups behind the general level of release. I hope for an improvement later in the year, but I regret that I cannot now predict when the general level will be reached.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyIn view of the disappointment these men have suffered, will the Secretary of State try to do all he can to have these men released on the same basis as those in other trades?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerCertainly, I will. Unfortunately, we are also experiencing a very heavy shortage of electricians, up to the danger limit; but I hope that as men come out of training the rate of release will be accelerated.