§ Mr. Wardasked the Secretary of State for Air what are the numbers of officers, men and W.A.A.F.s at present serving in the R.A.F., and how many of each category are serving on National Service, Extended Service and Regular engagements.
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§ Mr. A. HendersonThe strengths of the R.A.F. and W.A.A.F. on 1st October,
— Officers. Airmen. Total. R.A.F.— Regular Engagements … … … 4,660 59,680 64,340 Bounty Scheme … … … Nil 18,820 18,820 Extended and Short Service … … … 7,170 4,160 11,330 Non-Regulars * … … … 12,720 180,490 193,210 Total … … … 24,550 263,150 287,700
— Officers. Airwomen. Total. W.A.A.F.— Fixed Term Engagements … … … Nil 1,790 1,790 Extended and Short Service … … … 150 3,420 3,570 Non-Regulars† … … … 550 14,890 15,440 Total … … … 700 20,100 20,800 Notes:— * Non-Regulars in the R.A.F. chiefly consist of National Service entrants but also includes volunteers who entered for other than fixed periods of engagements and who will go out of the Service under the release scheme. † Non-Regulars in the W.A.A.F. chiefly consist of volunteers serving on "duration of present emergency" engagements. They will go out of the Service under the release scheme.
§ Mr. Wardasked the Secretary of State for Air what are the target strengths for the R.A.F. on 31st March and 31st December, 1948, and what proportion of these strengths it is anticipated will be serving on National Service engagements at each of these dates.
§ Mr. A. HendersonIt is anticipated that the strength of the R.A.F. at 31st March, 1948, will be 263,000 and that about one-half will be National Service men. It is not at present possible to give figures for 31st December, 1948.