HC Deb 31 May 1961 vol 641 cc247-8
29. Mr. Whitlock

asked the Secretary of State for Air what improvement has been made recently in the recruitment of medical and education officers to the Royal Air Force.

Mr. W. J. Taylor

Present indications are that we have a reasonable chance of reaching this year's recruitment target for the Education Branch. The position is at present less satisfactory in the Medical Branch but we hope this will be remedied by the new rates of pay and increased short service gratuities recently introduced for that Branch.

Mr. Whitlock

Since it has apparently been decided that the shortage of medical and dental officers will be overcome by a salary increase made retrospective to 1st April, 1960, and as, no doubt, the same solution will apply to education officers, will the hon. Gentleman offer the benefit of his advice to his colleagues concerned with important civilian services in which there are many manpower shortages, for example, the fire services, the probation service—

Mr. Speaker

That supplementary question is out of order when addressed to this Minister.