HC Deb 14 November 1956 vol 560 cc927-8
8. Mr. Mikardo

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will take steps to identify the science or engineering graduates, or holders of equivalent qualifications, who are enrolled in the Royal Air Force and are serving as fitters or in other capacities in which their specialised knowledge is not used; and whether he will either transfer them to duties which require the use of their specialised knowledge or else release them.

Mr. Birch

The qualifications of all men entering the Royal Air Force are taken fully into account when allocating them to trades and are permanently recorded on their documents. We do all we can to make the best use of these qualifications.

Mr. Mikardo

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have already been informed in a Parliamentary Answer that his Department does not even know what officers and how many officers there are with these qualifications engaged in occupations which do not use the qualifications? How can he reconcile that with what he has just told me? Further, is he aware that I have been told that there are 300 airmen of engineering and science degree standard who are not being used in accordance with their qualifications? Does he not think that that is silly when industry, universities and the schools are all short of people with those qualifications?

Mr. Birch

On the first point, of course when a man enters the Service all his qualifications are most carefully noted and recorded. On the second point, 50 of the 300 airmen to whom the hon. Member has referred have instructing duties and most of the rest are acting as fitters. The majority of these men are men who have failed to get a commission, and we are making the best use of them that we can.

Mr. Mikardo

Does the right hon. Gentleman really say that it is making the best use of a man with a degree in engineering or science or the equivalent to use him as a fitter? Is that the best he can do for the nation?

Mr. Birch

As the hon. Gentleman knows, National Service is universal, and not everybody can be employed exactly where he would wish when in the Service. We are using these men in the best way we can.

Mr. Wigg

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that National Service is not universal? Miners, agricultural workers and Merchant Navy men are exempt.

Mr. Birch

I am, of course, aware of that.