HC Deb 05 April 1950 vol 473 c1162
3. Mr. G. Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of Regular recruits to the Royal Air Force in each of the years 1927 to 1938, and 1946 to 1949.

Mr. A. Henderson

As the answer consists of a long list of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The numbers of Regular recruits to the Royal Air Force in the years mentioned were as follow:

1927 3,450
1928 3,100
1929 3,200
1930 2,950
1931 2,500
1932 1,300
1933 1,500
1934 2,900
1935 10,100
1936 12,750
1937 13,500
1938 26,950
1946 31,303
1947 33,311
1948 13,612
1949 12,180
The above figures cover airmen only. In addition, in 1949, 9,630 airwomen entered the Women's Royal Air Force either direct from civil life or by transfer from the Women's Auxiliary Air Force.