§ 6. Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what action he proposes to take in view of the fact that certain officers of specialist air crews promoted to squadron leader rank are currently being paid less after promotion than before.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force (Mr. Brynmor John)As I have explained in a letter to the hon. Member, no specialist aircrew officer promoted to squadron leader receives less pay over the rest of his career than he would receive if not promoted. Most will be better off and all can expect to get better pensions and terminal grants.
§ Mr. MitchellDoes the Minister agree that extra responsibility on promotion deserves extra pay, and that it is unsatisfactory even in this egalitarian age for a man to have to wait for five years before he gets the extra pay?
§ Mr. JohnThe hon. Gentleman knows that this scheme for specialist aircrew was introduced to enable us to retain experienced pilots beyond their normal retirement date if they do not advance beyond the rank of flight lieutenant. We judge that whilst we must preserve squadron leaders from receiving less pay the problem is to retain specialist aircrew so that we may have the great advantage of their experience.