§ Mr. Garry Allighanasked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he will make it clear that the letter signed by the Air Officer Commanding Records, handed to every man leaving the R.A.F., includes a guarantee that no man who re-signs for regular service will be accepted at any paid rank lower than that which he holds at present and will not be demoted except for disciplinary reasons when the postwar Air Force policy is defined.
§ Mr. StracheyWe could give no such guarantee, nor is such a letter handed to every airman on demobilisation. If we invite a former airman to consider returning to the Service, we make it clear to him that the temporary rank he holds on his return will be subject to any decisions made regarding the post-war Air Force. We explain that in this he will be on a par with all men who are still serving on a regular engagement and whose service has been uninterrupted.