§ 15. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Committee appointed to consider the problems of career planning in the Royal Air Force has completed its review, especially in regard to the prospects of promotion of officers in the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BirchThe Committee my hon. Friend has in mind is a standing committee which reports from time to time to the Air Council. It has not yet completed its study of the Education Branch.
§ Mr. JohnsonDoes my right hon. Friend recall that it was as long ago as 20th January that he told me that this Committee was studying this problem; that he wrote to me on 7th August and said that he hoped that the topic of promotion to wing commander could be considered early and in isolation from the rest of the problem; and that it is now a year since I drew attention to the very real grievance of these officers?
§ Mr. BirchI know that what my hon. Friend has in mind is the promotion prospects in the Education Branch. I have always told him that that is not a problem of immediate urgency. What we want is a long-term plan for that branch.
§ Mr. JohnsonOn a point of order. I beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I shall seek an early opportunity of raising the matter on the Adjournment.