HC Deb 17 July 1957 vol 573 c1130
33. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Air the ratio of other ranks to officers of the rank of air commodore and above on 1st July, 1939, 1945, 1951 and 1957.

Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing

The ratio of air officers to other ranks on the dates refer-ed to was as follows:

1st July, 1939 … … 1:1,174
1st July, 1945 … … 1:2,046
1st July, 1951 … … 1: 975
1st July, 1957 … … 1: 761
Mr. de Freitas

Will the hon. Gentleman consider this? When new air marshal posts are established to deal with guided weapons, why cannot there be a corresponding reduction in air marshal posts dealing with manned aircraft?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I think several considerations arise out of this Question and that supplementary. The first is that the number of officers cannot be directly related to the number of airmen because in recent years there have been needs for air officers with N.A.T.O. and the Ministry of Supply which used not to exist. I would also remind the hon. Gentleman that we are conducting a most careful survey of all air ranks, and we shall certainly consider the points he has made in his supplementary question.

Mr. Paget

Is not this inter-Services competition to avoid being de-ranked in various other departments becoming a bit expensive for the Exchequer?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

That is a question for the Minister of Defence, not for myself.