§ Sir A. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Air what is the number of awards of the distinguished flying medals and Royal Air Force medals since these decorations were established and since January, 1930, respectively?
§ Sir K. WoodThe numbers are as follow:
§ Sir K. WoodThe great majority of airmen are entered for training in skilled trades which should normally enable them to obtain suitable employment on return to civil life at the end of their engagement. Those entered as aircraft hands for general duties have an opportunity of being selected for training in a skilled trade at a later date.
405WFacilities are granted to airmen during their last year of service to take educational courses to assist them in securing civil employment, and by arrangement with the Ministry of Labour an officer of that department interviews all airmen some three months before the expiry of their engagements to advise them as regards their return to civil employment and, where necessary, to arrange for a course of training at a Ministry of Labour training centre. Arrangements are now being made to retain airmen on full pay during such courses.
On leaving the Royal Air Force, airmen participate in the preference which is given to ex-service men in the filling of many appointments in the public service, and they are given a special preference in the filling of vacancies at Air Ministry Outstations, at which large numbers of ex-airmen are employed as civilians.
All airmen are placed in full benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Acts on discharge at the termination of their engagement.