HC Deb 16 November 1949 vol 469 cc2002-4
14. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Air what reply he has sent to a letter addressed to him on 20th October on behalf of a number of Colonial students on temporary release from the Royal Air Force, requesting him to reconsider the new arrangements for their discharge and repatriation of which they had been notified by Colonial Office circular; if he is aware that these arrangements involve a breach of assurances previously given by his Department and a reduction in the living standards of the officers and airmen concerned; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. A. Henderson

The students who signed the letter referred to were informed at an interview at the Air Ministry on 7th October that they would not be released from the R.A.F. on completion of their training course but instead would be recalled to R.A.F. service and repatriated under Service arrangements in accordance with the assurances previously given. This decision has now been communicated by letter to all commissioned officers undergoing courses under the Colonial Office Further Education Scheme.

Mr. Driberg

While welcoming the withdrawal of this circular—which should never have been issued at all—so far as it applies to officers, may I ask my right hon. and learned Friend if he will look into the position of other ranks who will suffer very grave hardship if their position is not reconsidered also?

Mr. Henderson

Yes, Sir. I understand that there is another Question down.

56. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the concern caused to a number of Royal Air Force officers and airmen by the circular recently issued by the Director of Colonial Studies, notifying them of their early discharge from the Royal Air Force and that at the end of their further education courses they are to be paid reduced living allowances and repatriated as civilians at the responsibility of his Department; and, since this arrangement will cause hardship and is, in the case of officers at least, a breach of the terms and assurances on which their temporary release from the Royal Air Force was approved, if he will cause this circular to be modified or withdrawn.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Creech Jones)

The circular letter was issued to meet what the Minister for Air and I have every reason to believe are the wishes of the majority of the airmen not to have to return to Service life after being away from it for a long time as students. It was also devised to meet the need of civilian trainees under the Colonial Office Further Education scheme for whom there was no provision for maintenance during the period between the end of studies and their sailing for home.

So far as officers are concerned, the notice referred to has now been rescinded and they will, therefore, be recalled to the Royal Air Force and repatriated under service conditions. So far as I am aware, there has been no breach of assurances given to the men. On 9th November my Royal Air Force liaison officer received a letter from nine airmen out of a total of 114 students about the subsistence allowances which they will receive while awaiting return to the West Indies but they do not ask for recall to the Royal Air Force. These representations are receiving consideration. This is not a matter of students' allowances but of a payment to men while waiting to return home and who are relieved of necessity of rejoining the forces. The allowances are not inadequate but any case of hardship will be considered.

Mr. Driberg

While welcoming the withdrawal of this circular—which should never have been issued at all—so far as it applies to officers, may I ask my right hon. Friend to look again at the position of other ranks, who will suffer great hardship if their subsistence allowance is cut by one-third, as at present stated in the circular?

Mr. Creech Jones

I have given an assurance that the question of subsistence will be looked at in cases of hardship.