§ 117. Mr. Prittasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will take steps to insist that 1716943 L.A.C. Hedges is brought back from M.E.F. in time to attend a selection board in September under the Ministry of Health, on which his future depends, seeing that his application for the necessary posting is supported by his commanding officer, that he is doing little skilled work where he is, and that he is due to be brought home for demobilisation within a few weeks after the date in question.
§ Mr. de FreitasNo, Sir. This is a case where we have to be fair to the Service in general. We cannot let all members of the Royal Air Force who are looking for jobs come home early from overseas. And the fact that one airman is said to have his commanding officer's approval for obtaining this advantage really has nothing to do with our general decision. I know the hon. and learned Member feels strongly about this case. I am equally sure it would be wrong for me 261W to deal with it by setting aside the essential principles of the release scheme. If, however, the hon. and learned Member would like to get in touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, he will, I think, find that a further selection board for these courses is being held at the end of this year.