§ 4. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will arrange for the present Royal Air Force officer seconded to the Ministry of Supply as Controller of Aircraft to remain at the Ministry of Supply for a longer period than his predecessor.
Mr. WardI am considering, with my right hon. Friends, the recommendation made by the Select Committee on Estimates. While I agree that as much continuity as possible is desirable, an officer's tour of duty must depend to some extent on the course of events. I cannot promise therefore that the newly appointed Controller of Aircraft will remain in his present post for a particular length of time.
§ Mr. RankinIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the evolution of one aircraft project is equal to the tour of duty of three aircraft controllers, and does not he realise that the only person who has a shorter period in his job than an aircraft controller is a member of the Tory Government? Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to leave the R.A.F. to continue to suffer under that stigma?
Mr. WardTwo points arise out of that question. The first is that both the previous controllers were in the post for three years each, which is not bad. Secondly, as I have said, we are considering the recommendations of the Select Committee. The present Controller of Aircraft has only just gone there, and the problem does not immediately arise.
Air Commodore HarveyIs my right hon. Friend aware that for a number of years this post has been the last tour of duty for officers who have held it? Does not my right hon. Friend think it right that we should have an officer in the job who will later go back in the Air Force, where his experience will be used, rather than have an officer who will look upon the appointment as his last job in the Service? That matters needs looking into.
Mr. WardCertainly. That is one of the matters which we shall consider. It is probably more important that the Controller should have come straight from the Royal Air Force and be closely connected with it.