§ 2. Sir I. Fraserasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what action has been taken by his Department to bring naval transport and ferry pilots into line with Royal Air Force transport and ferry pilots, as to the granting of aircrew stars, as promised by the answer given to the Parliamentary Question put by the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lonsdale on 25th June, 1947; and how many naval aircrew have received these stars as a result of this action.
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. J. P. L. Thomas)An Admiralty Fleet Order was published on 4th July, 1947, stating that naval aircrew appointed or drafted for transport and ferrying duties between 1939 and 1945 would qualify for Operational Stars, as appropriate to their service, on the same terms as officers and men of the Royal Air Force on similar duties. I regret that the number who have received Campaign Stars since could not be ascertained without a disproportionate amount of work.
§ Sir I. FraserIf there were a small number of pilots who had rendered the appropriate service but might have fallen between two stools, as between the Admiralty and the Air Ministry, would the First Lord consult with the Secretary of State for Air to see that justice is done and possibly that the benefit of the doubt is given to them?
§ Mr. ThomasI certainly will consult with my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Air if the hon. Gentleman will let me have the details of any particular cases he has in mind.