38. Air Commodore Harveyasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why the claims made by Royal Auxiliary Air Force personnel during their three months' call-up, in respect of loss of wages, have not been met.
§ Mr. BirchMembers of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force called up for three months received Service emoluments together with a special bounty. No undertaking was given that any difference between Service emoluments and civilian wages would be made good, but National Service grants were paid in 192 cases where it was clear that hardship would have resulted from the call-up.
Air Commodore HarveyDoes my hon. Friend realise that some airmen were down by as much as £3 10s. a week? Will he investigate whether or not certain airmen have resigned their positions in the squadrons as a result of their loss of pay?
§ Mr. BirchMaximum National Service grants are £3 a week, and therefore for men earning very high wages or salaries clearly there is a loss, but I think my hon. and gallant Friend must agree that that is unavoidable