§ Mr. HAYESasked the Secretary of State for Air the total cost of the headquarters chaplains' organisation of the Royal Air Force; and whether he is taking steps to prevent overlapping between the Royal Air Force chaplaincy service and the chaplaincy services of the Navy and Army?
§ Sir S. HOARE:As regards the first part of the question, the headquarters chaplains' organisation of the Royal Air Force at the Air Ministry consists of one officer and a typist, costing approximately £1,220 a year. As regards the second part, effective action has been taken to prevent overlapping with the assistance of the Chaplains' Co-ordinating Committee of the three Services. Air Force chaplains are only appointed to stations where there is no Naval or Army chaplain available in the vicinity who is able to undertake the work, whilst at small and remote stations not justifying the appointment of a chaplain arrangements are made for local ministers of religion to perform the necessary duties.
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