§ 13. Mr. Edenasked the Secretary of State for Air what progress has been made in aircrew recruiting this year.
§ Mr. H. FraserAircrew recruiting is going well. Applications for cadetships at Cranwell for the coming September entry have been some 17 per cent. higher than the comparable figure for 1962 and over 80 per cent. higher than that for 1961. Applications received during the first four months of the year for direct entry commissions are also above the comparable figures for either of the last two years. Quality is holding up well.
§ Mr. MasonThe right hon. Gentleman will be aware that Cmnd. 1936 said that recruiting of pilots was below the desired rates. It also said that there were deficiencies in other trades—in professionally qualified engineers, in scientists, and in technologists. What is he doing to get the necessary recruits for these grades?
§ Mr. FraserThere again, we are not doing too badly. The Question is about aircrew. The Air Force is doing very well in its recruitment of aircrew at the moment.
§ Mr. EdenIs there any substantial element of wastage immediately after training has taken place when men, having been trained, leave the R.A.F.?
§ Mr. FraserI should like notice of that Question, but I should have thought that it was very small.