§ 14. Mr. William Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Air when he proposes to allocate the balance of prize money remaining to be distributed for the past members of the Royal Air Force; how far those organisations which have already had allocations of this money will be eligible for further sums; and what will be the qualifications required for such further grants.
§ Mr. CrawleyThe balance of prize money in respect of the past share will be finally distributed when it is reasonably clear that no eligible body has been overlooked. It may be possible to increase some grants already made. The criterion for further grants will be the value of the services rendered by the organisation to past members of the R.A.F. and their dependants.
§ Mr. TeelingIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the members of the Air Council are suitable people to decide to whom to grant money which is, after all, mainly being given for welfare purposes? Will he further state whether he has looked into this, and say how much of this money is replacing what would otherwise be paid out by the taxpayer?
§ Mr. CrawleyThe reply to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary is "Yes," and, to the second part, "Yes." We have looked at it and are quite sure it is the best possible distribution that can be made.
§ 18. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Air why the Polish Air Force Association has not been included in the distribution of Air Force prize money.
§ Mr. CrawleyThe Polish Air Force Association is not an eligible organisation under the provisions of the Prize Act, 1948. A grant of £3,900 has, however, been made to this Association from the R.A.F. Central Fund.
§ Mr. TeelingCan the hon. Gentleman tell us why it should not be normally included? Did they not fight with us, and are they not working with us at the present time? Was the sum just granted given before or since this Question was put down?
§ Mr. CrawleyOwing to the way in which the Act is drawn, they are not eligible under the Act. The grant was certainly made before the Question was put down.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIs there any other foreign air force association eligible under the Act, and, if so, why not the Poles?
§ Mr. CrawleyNo, I understand that no foreign air force association can be eligible. If they were foreign members of the Royal Air Force it would be a different thing.