HC Deb 29 April 1953 vol 514 cc2145-6
53. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air on what grounds 4018853 Leading Aircraftsman Chester was discharged from the Royal Air Force.

The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Mr. George Ward)

After representations about this airman's personal difficulties had been made to me by the hon. Member for Clayton (Mr. H. Thorneycroft) and my hon. Friend the Member for Blackley (Mr. E. Johnson), L.A.C. Chester was discharged on the grounds of "Services no longer required." This heading is used in cases of discharge which do not readily fall under any other heading in Section 652 of Queen's Regulations. However, after further consideration of all the circumstances, it has been decided to alter this entry in L.A.C. Chester's Certificate of Service to read "Free as an indulgence at own request." If he will return his certificate, I shall arrange for the alteration to be made.

54. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air on what grounds the officer commanding, No. 1 Wing, O.L.H.S., Royal Air Force, Lytham, refused to write more than the word "Nil" on the page provided for "Additional Information and Recommendation for Employment" on the Royal Air Force Form 856 issued to 4018853 Leading Aircraftsman Chester on his discharge from the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Ward

I understand that when he was being discharged L.A.C. Chester refused an offer to have this page of his certificate of service completed by his parent unit in Germany. If the airman has now changed his mind, perhaps he would say so when he returns his certificate of service to have the entry on page 2 altered.

Mr. Johnson

Is my hon. Friend aware that I have a sworn statement by Mr. Chester to the effect that his commanding officer sent a warrant officer to him with the message that, if he insisted on a reference being given, he would write something which would prevent him from ever getting employment; and that he further said that he should not have gone bothering a Member of Parliament and causing trouble, but ought to have gone on with his service?

Mr. Ward

I know nothing about that, but if my hon. Friend will write to me, I will certainly look into it.