§ Mr. Bartlettasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, to lessen disappointment over R.A.F. demobilisation delays, he will speed up the return to British stations of men now in Germany who have already done one tour abroad.
§ Mr. StracheyMen who were sent to Germany after spending a very short time in this country following previous service overseas are being posted home as soon as possible, but the hon. Member will appreciate that priority of relief has to be given to tour-expired men serving in more distant commands where facilities for home leave are not so favourable.
§ Flight-Lieutenant Beswickasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps his Department have taken to inform 2159W the men in the R.A.F. of the reasons for the apparent departure from the Bevin release scheme as far as it affects the R.A.F.
§ Mr. StracheyWe have not departed from the principles of demobilisation announced in the White Paper, where it was clearly stated that owing to military considerations release would necessarily proceed at different rates in the different Services, and that it would be necessary in some Services to deal separately with the several branches and possibly trades and ranks in those branches. It is important that the reasons for these differences should be properly understood, and I am glad to announce that we have made arrangements for a series of signals to be sent from the Air Council to Commanding Officers at home and overseas for the information of all members of the Royal Air Force. These signals, which are in addition to other information of both an official and a popular kind, will explain clearly and without delay the policy and progress of demobilisation in the R.A.F.